Central Valley’s and Atwater’s varsity football teams combined for 35 points in the first quarter of last week’s Central California Conference clash.

“I thought it was going to be like that until the fourth quarter,” said Isaiah Hidalgo, a junior running back for the Hawks. 

Central Valley managed to score just one touchdown the rest of the game as Atwater pulled away for a 63-33 victory Friday night at CUSD Stadium.

“You’re never happy when you’re not winning games,” Central Valley quarterback Andrew Hernandez said. “We have to do a better job carrying out our assignments. If we do that, we’ll be fine.”

The last-place Hawks dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the CCC standings.

The first-place Falcons improved to 5-1 and 2-0.

“Being in a league like this is challenging,” Hidalgo said. “You have to take every week serious. It’s a true grind.”

Hidalgo rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

He returned a kickoff 93 yards for a TD.

He also hauled in five passes for 56 yards.

“It feels good knowing I’m helping my team out in a positive way,” Hidalgo said.

Hernandez completed 16 of 26 passes for 170 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“I need to stop making it harder on the defense,” said Hernandez, who was picked off twice in the opening period.

Chris Simental grabbed four passes for 37 yards and two TDS.

Central Valley trailed 22-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Hernandez tossed a 7-yard TD pass to Simental.

Hidalgo had a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown.

Hidalgo’s 8-yard TD run and Alexys Jimenez’s point-after kick cut the deficit to 22-20 early in the second quarter.

The Falcons extended their lead to 44-20 with three touchdowns.

Hidalgo’s 3-yard TD run made it a 44-26 game heading into halftime.

Atwater outscored Central Valley 19-7 after intermission.

Hernandez and Simental combined for a TD (8 yards) in the fourth quarter.

“Atwater is like Merced,” Hidalgo said. “They’re fast.”

Central Valley will face visiting Golden Valley (3-2, 1-0) on Homecoming this Friday at CUSD Stadium.

Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.