The streak is finally over. The Buhach Colony High football team had plenty of reason to celebrate on Friday night as the Thunder ended a 23-game losing streak with an 18-13 victory over Enochs in Modesto. “I think the feeling is a little bit of relief, like the monkey is off our back,” said Buhach Colony co-head coach Kevin Navarra. “I’m super proud of these kids.”

 

Blake O’Brien rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Thunder (1-2) offensive attack. Dylan Newkirk chipped in with 75 rushing yards and Morgan Dunwoody-Carter returned a fumble for a 42-yard touchdown on defense.

 

It was the Thunder’s first win since a 64-48 playoff win at Los Banos on Nov. 4 2022. “You would have thought we had won league the way we celebrated,” Navarra said. “You want to say, ‘Hey, act like you’ve been there before,’ but these kids deserve it. They’ve worked so hard, you want them to feel that ‘W.’”

 

Merced 41, Downey 39 – Bears quarterback Vicente Cortez scored three rushing touchdowns, including a five-yard score that gave Merced a 41-39 lead over Downey with 2 minutes, 32 seconds left in the game. Merced defensive back  Isayah Smith made the game-saving interception at the Bears’ 3-yard line with 8 seconds left to secure a 3-0 start for Merced.

 

“It was basically a win-or-lose play, right? If he doesn't make it, Downey probably goes in for a touchdown,” said Merced head coach Rob Scheidt. “Isayah makes the play and we take a knee for the win.”

 

Merced running back Cammarri Jackson also scored two running touchdowns and Scheidt said the game plan was to attack the Knights on the ground with the Bears big offensive line. “Sometimes it’s not the plays, it’s the players,” Scheidt said. “You just need to know who to run behind and that’s what we did tonight.”

 

Atwater 27, Gregori 14 – Durrell Morrison scored three rushing touchdowns as the Falcons (2-1) bounced back from an overtime loss to Hughson last week. Atwater quarterback A.J. Banks was able to play despite leaving last week’s game with an ankle injury. Banks’ connected with Vinny Valladao on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Morrison scored on runs of 17, 1 and 17 yards. 

 

With Banks’ running ability limited with the ankle issue, the Falcons had to lean on Morrison and the running game. “I had to call the game a little bit differently and rely on a running game a little bit,” said Atwater head coach Seneca Ybarra. “I think it worked out tonight.”

 

Elk Grove 53, Golden Valley 19 – Cougars running back Isaiah Welch scored two touchdowns and quarterback Mario Perez connected with receiver Jaren Bell on a 34-yard touchdown pass to account for GV’s three scores. Golden Valley (0-3) will host Pitman next week. 

Shawn Jansen is the Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.