Football Roundup: Atwater uses strong second half to beat Gregori and remain undefeated

Atwater High quarterback James Bell ran for a score and tossed a touchdown as the Falcons outscored Gregori 21-0 in the second half and pulled away for a 31-7 victory on Friday night.

Atwater couldn’t cash in on drives deep into Jaguars’ territory in the first half. The Falcons drove into the red zone three times and came away with only three points. An interception and penalties stalled two of the Falcons’ drives.

Jeremiah Delarosa scored a rushing touchdown that gave Atwater a 10-7 lead at the half.

“Fortunately our defense kept us in the game in the first half and we were able to make a few adjustments,” said Atwater coach Seneca Ybarra. “We saw a few things that were working in the first half, and we went back to them.”

AJ Banks added a touchdown run for the Falcons in the second half. Seneca Ybarra Jr. hauled in a long touchdown pass from Bell and also intercepted a pass on defense.

Atwater will host Hilmar (1-1) next week at Dave Honey Stadium.

Pacheco 17, Los Banos 12 — The Panthers intercepted a pass near their own end zone on the final play in preserving the victory in the Crosstown Clash.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak to their crosstown rival.

“I think we were nervous in the beginning because of the rivalry,” said Pacheco coach Jeremy Siemiller, whose team improved to 2-1. “Our defense dominated, and that kept us in the game.”

Jonathan Sanchez broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run for the Panthers late in the first half. Quarterback Brennan Watkins found Aiden Pikas for a 10-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter for the Panthers.

Los Banos fell to 0-3 this season.

Elk Grove 42, Golden Valley 10 — The Thundering Herd scored the final 35 points of the game to pull away from the Cougars (0-3).

A 33-yard field goal by Aidan Valtierra and a 6-yard touchdown run by Tyrrell Johnson accounted for the scoring by Golden Valley.

El Capitan 34, Beyer 0 — The Gauchos defense recorded their second shutout of the season as they improved to 2-1.

Senior Diego Ultreras led the El Capitan defense with three interceptions and also added a touchdown run on offense.

Anthony Jones returned a kickoff for a score and hauled in a 59-yard touchdown reception for El Capitan.

Enochs 49, Buhach Colony 13 — The Thunder struggled with 10 players sidelined with injuries.

Gionni LaPlante accounted for both BC touchdowns, returning a kickoff 90 yards for a score and finding the end zone on a 13-yard run.

Buhach Colony dropped to 0-3 this season.

Stone Ridge Christian 45, Chowchilla 26 — The Knights (1-1) handed the Tribe their first loss of the season with a dominant effort.

Leading the way for SRC was Daijon O’Neil, who scored four touchdowns. The dynamic junior scored twice on the ground and hauled in two touchdowns through the air.

Carson Lund and Luke Agueda also added touchdowns for the Knights.

Chowchila dropped to 2-1.

Dos Palos 61, Liberty 21 — Broncos quarterback Earl Riley completed 12 of 13 passes for 250 yards and five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Riley’s cousin Andre Flores added 147 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries.

The Broncos improved to 2-1 this season.

Big Valley Christian 35, Mariposa 12 — Titus Beers hauled in a touchdown pass and returned a fumble for a score to lead the Lions past the Grizzlies.

Ezra Stubbert, Nicholas Toledo and Jackson Howell all added touchdown runs for Big Valley Christian.

Hayden Hill scored on a 56-yard touchdown run and Isac Munoz hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Marquez for Mariposa’s two scores.

Other Merced-area scores:

Argonaut 31, Livingston 23

Gustine 45, Delta 12

Delhi 22, Madera South 7