Merced High closing in on a CCC three-peat after a dominant win over El Capitan.
The Merced High football team pounded in seven touchdowns on the ground as the Bears cruised to a 63-6 victory over El Capitan to improve to 8-0 on the season overall and 3-0 in the Central California Conference. The Bears showed why they came in undefeated and ranked No. 19 overall in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps.
The Gauchos (3-5, 0-3 CCC) started fast, using a double-pass to score on the first play from scrimmage. El Capitan quarterback Gio Mendoza tossed a backward pass to Jesse Morgan out to the right and Morgan threw down field to Jayden Scott for a 70-yard touchdown to give the Gauchos a quick 6-0 lead.
“We saw the same thing against Enochs,” said Merced senior Doug Andrews. “They scored on the first play against us and we just turned it around. We stayed focused.” It was all Merced from that point as the Bears scored 63 unanswered points.
The Bears answered back on their opening possession, marching 80 yards on 12 plays with running back Cammarri Jackson scoring on a 3-yard run to give Merced a 7-6 drive. “It was a disappointing start, but I liked our response,” said Merced head coach Rob Scheidt. “That was a really methodical drive to respond to that.”
The Bears were able to move the ball through the air and on the ground all night. Quarterback Vincente Cortez completed 16 of 18 passes for 238 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to Israel Rodas. Rodas finished with four catches for 154 yards. Andrews added 79 yards rushing and touchdown runs of 15, 1 and 38 yards.
Brett Parker, Zachariah Harris and Anthony Tachiera also added touchdown runs for Merced. Isayah Smith returned the second-half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown for the Bears. “It's amazing, man, I want to see my teammates eat before me,” Andrews said. “I want to see them eat more than me. So seeing Cammarri score, Izzy's big plays, Tachiera, score, everyone, it’s great to watch. I love those guys.” The Merced kickers were also perfect on the night with Haziell Reyes making all seven of his extra-point kicks and then Jomei Montez coming in to kick the last two extra points.
Running back Lorenzo Peters was one of the bright spots for the Gauchos, rushing for 110 yards on 14 carries. El Capitan was missing one of its key weapons on offense in receiver A.J. Jones, who was out with an injury.
The Bears can clinch at least a share of their third consecutive CCC championship next week when they host the Santa Fe Bowl against Atwater. “This is a fun group to coach, because we're just next-guy up. They’ve worked hard, they know our expectations, and they just keep stepping up to the standard.”
Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org