Prep football roundup: Johansen, Ceres earn Western Athletic Conference wins

Quinton Hamilton
·3 min read

Friday night, the Johansen High football team earned its second hard fought Western Athletic Conference win in as many weeks. A fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion gave the Vikings a 22-21 win over Mountain House, keeping them perfect early in league play and giving them back-to-back wins.

It is the second game this season the Vikings have won by less than a field goal. They beat Pacheco 28-26 last week.

After a scoreless first quarter, Johansen struck first with a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion in the second. Mountain House answered with a touchdown before halftime and the Vikings went into the intermission 8-6.

Johansen pushed its lead to 14-8 after a third-quarter rushing touchdown and held the Mustangs scoreless in the period.

Mountain House scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points to take a 21-14 lead. Johansen got the ball on its own 32-yard line with just over five minutes remaining and marched down the field on a scoring drive capped by a touchdown run to cut it to a 21-20 game. The Vikings sealed the win with a two-point conversion.

Johansen continues WAC play next week on the road against Ceres.

Los Banos 45, Davis 6: The Spartans fell to the reigning WAC champions. Los Banos took a 28-0 lead into halftime and continued its offensive attack in the second half. Davis scored its only points of the game in the second half. The Spartans play Pacheco next week.

Biggs 28, Big Valley Christian 20: The Lions could not bounce back Friday night from last week’s shutout loss to Summerville. Big Valley went into halftime trailing 20-13 and was unable to overcome an early deficit in its final nonleague contest.

Summerville 49, Modesto Christian 12: Summerville went ahead 21-6 after the first quarter and led 21-12 at halftime. The Crusaders gave up 28 unanswered second-half points, including 21 in the third quarter. Modesto Christian starts TVL play next week, hosting Ripon.

Ceres 34, Beyer 7: Ceres moved to 1-1 in WAC play with a dominant win over Beyer on Friday night. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs allowed less than 10 points. The 34 points was also their highest score of the season.

Beyer quarterback Nolan Foehringer (1) throws a ball to the flat during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Beyer quarterback Nolan Foehringer (1) throws a ball to the flat during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.

Central Catholic 49, Pleasant Valley 7: The Raiders returned from a bye week rested and at near full strength. With transfers eligible, the Raiders blew out visiting Pleasant Valley of the Northern Section. TP Wentworth completed nine of 13 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. He completed two touchdown passes to Brooklyn Cheek and one each to Trace Hernandez and Carter Meeks. Joey Alcutt rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown. Wentworth and Wyatt Dragoo also rushed for scores. The Raiders begin Valley Oak League play next week.

Patterson 47, El Capitan 0: The Tigers kicked off their CCC title defense in dominant fashion, shutting out El Capitan and allowing just 131 passing yards. They came away with two interceptions. Patterson will prepare for next week’s key league matchup against Merced.

Riverbank 16, Burton 6: The Bruins picked up a homecoming win Friday night in beating Burton of San Francisco. They continue their independent schedule next week against Gridley.

Le Grand 41, Waterford 28: The Wildcats were unable to hand Le Grand their second Southern Athletic League loss. Waterford fell to 2-3 and 1-1 in league play. Two of their next three matchups are against Ripon Christian and Orestimba.

Liberty Ranch 14, Ripon 13: Ripon gave up 14 unanswered points in the first half, but Xzavier Clark and the host Ripon answered with a pair of scores. Clark caught a 35-yard pass from quarterback Ty Herrin, and Jesus Ochoa drilled the extra point. Clark reached the end zone again in the fourth quarter on a 45-yard run. Ripon was unable to take the lead on the two-point conversion. It begins TVL play next week.

Ceres Head Coach Brett Johnson talks with his players during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Ceres Head Coach Brett Johnson talks with his players during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Beyer receiver Nathan Dip eyes a defender after making a catch during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Beyer receiver Nathan Dip eyes a defender after making a catch during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Beyer Head Coach Mike Young looks toward the field during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Beyer Head Coach Mike Young looks toward the field during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Ceres running back David Diaz Deleon (21) braces for impact during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Ceres running back David Diaz Deleon (21) braces for impact during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Ceres receiver Manuel Mendoza (17) gets taken down after catching a pass during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.
Ceres receiver Manuel Mendoza (17) gets taken down after catching a pass during a game between Ceres and Beyer at Ceres High School in Ceres California on September 22, 2023.