Central Valley’s varsity football team trailed by as much as 17 points in the third quarter of Friday night’s Western Athletic Conference showdown with visiting Patterson.
Unfazed, the Hawks thrilled their Homecoming crowd by cutting the deficit to three late in the fourth quarter.
But it was all for naught as Central Valley’s potential winning drive following Hawk defensive back Mark Ramirez’s interception ended with a turnover on downs with 1:56 left in regulation.
The Tigers escaped with a 38-35 victory at Bulldog Stadium.
“It was a tough way to end the game. I feel bad for the seniors. It was their last Homecoming. We were that close to a win.”Sophomore running back Isaiah Hidalgo
“It was a tough way to end the game,” Hawks’ sophomore running back Isaiah Hidalgo said. “I feel bad for the seniors. It was their last Homecoming. We were that close to a win.”
Last-place Central Valley dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the Central California Conference standings.
Second-place Patterson improved to 5-3 and 3-1.
“It’s surprising,” Hidalgo said. “We thought we’d do better in the new league. It’s the total opposite. Our mindset isn’t negative. Our coaching staff is good at keeping us positive.”
The Hawks generated just 230 yards of total offense against the Tigers.
Junior quarterback Andrew Hernandez completed 12 of 30 passes for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also had a 13-yard rushing TD.
Hidalgo carried the ball 18 times for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
He caught a 49-yard TD pass from Hernandez.
Isaiah totaled 92 yards on two kickoff returns.
Xavier Alvarez returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
“I knew it was going to be a good game,” Hidalgo said. “We were hyped up going into it. With it being Homecoming, it gave us more motivation.”
The Central Valley-Patterson contest ended after 10:30 p.m.
The game was delayed for 15 minutes due to a power outage in the area.
The stadium lights went out at the beginning of the first and third quarters.
“I’ve never played in a game where that’s happened,” Hidalgo said. “It happened during the Super Bowl (in 2013).”
Patterson dealt Central Valley its seventh straight loss—fourth in CCC play.
“There’s way more talent in this league,” Hidalgo said. “We’re adjusting to it.”
Central Valley will travel to Atwater this Friday to face third-place Buhach Colony (5-2, 2-1).
“We’re going to play the best that we can the rest of the year,” Hidalgo said.
