Prep football roundup: Johansen can’t win third straight, Escalon beats Bay Area team
Johansen hosted its second straight game Friday night with the chance to do what even the 2008 playoff team could not do: Start a season 3-0.
After playing a competitive first half with visiting Bear River of Grass Valley, the Vikings were shut out in the second half, resulting in the team’s first loss of the season, 20-6.
Johansen and Bear River traded touchdowns in the opening quarter and went into halftime knotted up at six points apiece. The Vikings were unable to dominate in the running game in the second half, however, as they were held scoreless over the final two quarters, despite the defense allowing just one touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters.
For a team that has shuffled through running backs and fullbacks with key starters missing time due to injuries, Johansen managed to prove it could still produce big rushing games, scoring 46 points in the opener and 36 points in Week 2.
The Vikings beat Orestimba last week to start 2-0 for the first time since 2018. They look to get back in the win column in two weeks with their Western Athletic Conference opener on the road against Pacheco.
In other Sac-Joaquin Section high school football action:
Orosi 48, Big Valley Christian 7: The Lions gave up just one passing touchdown, but allowed 366 yards and five scores on the ground in Thursday’s matchup with the Cardinals. Andrew Camarillo rushed for 275 yards and three scores on 26 touches. Orosi also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Hughson 50, Pitman 20: Davis Burns broke open a 50-yard run for the second week and Max Mankins and Dominic Aguiar each had pick-sixes on the evening. The Huskies to a 35-0 halftime lead. The Hughson second string finished out the game. Pitman scored 13 points in the third quarter. The Huskies play Downey at home next week.
El Capitan 43, Modesto Christian 20: El Capitan’s Dejuan Franklin rushed for 218 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. Modesto Christian gave up six sacks and two interceptions. The Crusaders travel to Berean Christian next Saturday.
Central Valley 34, Ceres 8: Central Valley regained the Crosstown Showdown title with a dominant win over Ceres Friday night. The Hawks earned their first win of the season and have won eight of the last 10 matchups in the rivalry.
Escalon 42, Windsor 39: After going down 11 in the third quarter to one of the North Coast Section’s top teams, Escalon rattled off 21 straight second half points. Ryan Lewis powered the comeback with a 30-yard pick-six in the third that gave the Cougars a 25-20 lead. Josh Graham carried the ball 24 times for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jamin Miller added a pair of scores and Donovan Rozevink completed 7 of 17 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Sonora 32, Hilmar 9: The Yellowjackets fell to 1-2 early in the season after Friday night’s loss to reigning Division V section runner-up Sonora at home. Sonora bounced back from its season opening loss to Oakdale with back-to-back wins. The Wildcats have given up nine points in their past two games.
Central Catholic 16, Bishop Manogue 7: Against one of the best teams in Nevada, Central Catholic got a hard-earned road victory. TP Wentworth threw for a touchdown and Joey Alcutt continued his strong start to the season with 92 rushing yards and a score. Defensively, Brooklyn Cheek, Seth Van Dyk and Troy Leota led the team with five tackles apiece, Cheek had an interception and Hunter Goudeau recovered a fumble.
Patterson 42, Sequoia 0: The long road trip to Redwood City paid off for the Tigers, who start 3-0 for the first time since 2015. The shutout is the first for the Tigers this season. They travel to Menlo-Atherton next Saturday.
Los Banos 34, Orestimba 14: After trailing 12-7 at halftime, the Warriors were unable to score more than a fourth quarter touchdown, suffering their second loss this season.
Stagg 14, Modesto 12: A fourth-quarter rushing touchdown put the Panthers ahead 12-7, but Stagg answered with a last-second touchdown and extra point to hand Modesto its second loss this season. The Panthers travel to Central Valley next week.
Denair 20, Riverbank 0: A week after snapping a more than 40-game losing streak last week, Riverbank was unable to make it two straight, falling to Denair on Friday night.
Ripon Christian 42, Calaveras 0: The Knights earned their second shutout victory, defeating Calaveras. Grant Sonke capped the Knights’ first drive with a seven-yard touchdown run and Brady Grondz followed that with a 41-yard touchdown. Ripon Christian took a 35-0 lead into halftime en route to an easy victory. It has a bye next week before beginning Southern Athletic League play.
Central-Fresno 21, Turlock 18: Chasing its first win of the season, Turlock took an 18-14 lead into the fourth quarter on the road. Despite forcing two fumbles and two interceptions, Turlock was unable to earn the win after a fourth-quarter passing touchdown from Central proved to be the game winner. Vincent Gonzales completed 20 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown.
East Union 28, Ripon 21: Ripon overcame an early 14-0 deficit, evening the score at 14 by halftime. Ripon gave up six points in the third quarter and Xzavier Clark scored a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown, but Kirk Simoni completed a short game-winning touchdown pass to Blake Mount. East Union converted the two point conversion to seal the game.
