Central Valley High School's freshman football team battled back from a halftime deficit and edged out Pacheco 14-7 in in Western Athletic Conference play Thursday evening at Bulldog Stadium.

"The kids played well," Hawks head coach Jesse Padilla said. "We just got to keep plugging away."

Central Valley improved to 3-2 on the year and 1-0 in the WAC.

"I don't even worry about that," Padilla said while talking about his team's overall mark and place in the conference standings. "It's freshman football. I'm getting them ready for next year."

Hawk running back Estevan Barragan accounted for both of the Hawks' touchdowns.

Ishmael Sanchez intercepted a pass on defense.

Daniel Salazar recovered a fumble.

The Hawks trailed 7-0 at intermission.

Central Valley scored both of its touchdowns off Pacheco turnovers.

"We finally woke up in the second half," Padilla said.
Salazar set up the Hawks' first TD in the third quarter when he recovered and returned a fumble 17 yards.

Barragan's 3-yard touchdown run and Efrain Garcia's 2-point conversion toss to Sanchez put Central Valley by one point (8-7).

Sanchez set up his team's second TD when he returned an interception to the Panthers' 27-yard line.

Barragan's 12-yard TD scamper gave the Hawks an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Needing a TD and two-point conversion to even the score late in the game, Pacheco turned the ball over on downs at Central Valley's 26-yard line. The Hawks forced four straight incomplete passes.

"Our defense played really well," Padilla said.

Central Valley will play at Patterson tomorrow at 6 p.m.