After weathering losses in its first two games of the season, defending state champion Laney has evened its record. Meanwhile, Modesto, San Mateo and Shasta are off to roaring 4-0 starts, establishing themselves as Northern California powers for 2019. And don’t sleep on Foothill, which has quietly won its first four games, albeit against lesser competition compared to the other three schools listed above.
We recap the top action from around week four in NorCal junior college football action.
Laney evens record
A road trip down to Coalinga flirted with disaster, as West Hills took a two-point lead headed to the fourth quarter. But Laney dug deep in the final 15 minutes and emerged with a 26-16 victory to improve to 2-2 for the season.
Harold Tidwell (Concord) reached the end zone from two yards out, midway through the fourth quarter, capping a five-play, 45-yard drive to give the Eagles a 20-16 lead, and quarterback Dior Walker-Scott (Deer Valley) capped the win with his 49-yard scoring dash just over three minutes later.
The Eagles exploded to a 14-0 lead early in the game, when Walker-Scott connected with Marcus Hill for a 51-yard touchdown pass, and Tyrell Smith (Sheldon) later scored from seven yards out to cap a 60-yard drive. But West Hills got on the board just before the end of the first quarter and then tied things in the second on a 71-yard touchdown run from Andrew Davis.
Linebacker Josh Bolding (Alameda) spearheaded the Laney defense with seven tackles, including one for a loss, while Laprel Boyd (Hayward) added an interception. Smith led the way with 82 yards on the ground, while Walker-Scott had 74 rushing yards to go with 134 yards through the air. Hill had three catches for 73 yards.
Los Medanos pulls one out in overtime
Quarterback Zach Burke (Livermore) scampered past the front pylon of the end zone on Los Medanos’ lone possession of overtime, lifting the Mustangs to a thrilling 13-10 win over Yuba.
Burke’s scoring run erased the sting of having an interception returned for a score, which accounted for Yuba’s only points in regulation. Prior to the pick-six, the only points of the game had been a 35-yard touchdown pass from Justin Boyd (Pittsburg) to Josh Wishom (Heritage). Wishom had five catches for 93 yards to lead the Mustangs’ attack through the air.
Heamasi Latu (Clayton Valley) led an outstanding defensive performance for LMC, with 17 tackles and two interceptions, while Marquise Cunningham (Kimball-Tracy) added 12 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss, and Devonyae McClay (Antioch) had an interception. Lucas Montenegro (Livermore) had a pair of fumble recoveries, as the Mustangs defense forced five turnovers.
San Mateo hands Fresno City first loss
San Mateo spotted Fresno City a field goal early in the second quarter, then slugged its way to the 17-3 victory, improving to 4-0 for the season.
Darrell Page (Homestead) capped a 75-yard drive midway through the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run, and the Bulldogs added to their lead right before halftime, when Luke Bottari (Serra) connected with Mason Starling for a seven-yard score with three seconds left in the second quarter. Bottari’s scoring pass capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive.
After a scoreless third quarter, CSM tacked on a 25-yard field goal by Dylan Moghaddam to round out the scoring. Bottari finished the day 12-of-18 for 184 yards and a touchdown, while Page ran for 59 yards.
Bennett Williams (Saint Francis/Illinois) had nine tackles and a pass break-up to lead the defense, while Jovon Sewell had seven tackles, including one for a loss. Noah Lavulo (Burlingame) had a sack and a tackle for a loss.
Around NorCal
Modesto built a 31-point lead early in the fourth quarter and cruised from there, defeating American River 38-20. Michael Ramos ran for 120 yards and a touchdown while Brett Neves (Downey-Modesto) completed 17-of-21 passes for 177 yards in the win.
Anthony Heard (Sacred Heart Cathedral) ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns to help lead San Francisco past Butte, 35-24. The Rams built a 26-point lead when Kenden Robinson (Alameda) hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Bullock, scoring all of their points in the first three quarters.
Cam Rottler (Westmont) threw for three touchdowns and kicked two field goals to lead Foothill past Reedley, 32-20. The Owls are now 4-0 for the season. Jake Saltonstall (Live Oak) had a huge game for the Foothill defense, recording nine tackles, including 4.5 tackles for a loss, to go with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Chabot got 108 yards and two touchdowns on the ground from Ponove Veimau as the Gladiators took down Siskiyous, 30-20. Veimau’s 12-yard scoring run late in the game iced the victory.
Cabrillo improved to 3-1 with a 27-3 win over Hartnell, getting 352 passing yards from Devon Daich (Monte Vista Christian). Kameron Pleasant had eight catches for 192 yards and a touchdown, while linebacker Payton Mitchell (Christopher-Gilroy) had 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss. Drew Schuler (Salinas) had a big game on defense for Hartnell in defeat, racking up 12 tackles.
