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Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Los Banos football, Martin blank Pitman

TURLOCK -- The Los Banos football team held a players-only meeting after practice on Wednesday.

The message: It's time to come together.

"A few guys called the meeting and we talked about playing as a team," quarterback Erik Martin said. "This year we've won with talent. We haven't won as a team and I think that's finally happening."

It showed on Thursday night as the Los Banos defense dominated Pitman's offense.

Martin's two rushing touchdowns proved to be enough as Los Banos shut out Pitman 14-0 at Joe Debely Stadium.

"It was huge," said Los Banos coach Dennis Stubbs. "We told our guys this is a big week. It seems like everybody has forgot about Los Banos. We've played one of the toughest schedules. We've played some great defense against some good teams.

"You don't hear anything about Los Banos' defense."

Stubbs' defense made a loud statement against Pitman (2-2 Central California Conference, 4-4 overall).

Los Banos never let Pitman's running attack get going.

Pitman managed just 10 first downs in the game and 126 rushing yards.

When Pitman fell behind by two touchdowns and had to throw, players like Brian Durham, Marcus Arista and Matt Nunes harassed quarterback Hayden Baldwin in the backfield.

Los Banos safety Dylan Marques was all over the field.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior broke up two long passes from Baldwin and then came up with a big interception in the third quarter that set up Los Banos' second touchdown.

"He's shut down everybody," Stubbs said. "When I got here he was a freshman and probably (110 pounds), but I told people that guy's got it."

Offensively, Los Banos (3-1, 5-3) did just enough.

Sophomore running back Greg Williams gained most of the tough yards.

Williams finished with 110 yards on 23 carries.

Martin set up Los Banos' first score with a 38-yard pass to Jerrell Minor and a 28-yard hookup with Max Ornelas later on a fourth down play that moved the ball to Pitman's 1-yard line.

Martin then scored on a keeper to give Los Banos a 7-0 lead with 8:30 left in the first half.

A goal-line stand by Pitman a few minutes later kept the halftime deficit at 7-0.

Martin cashed in on Marques' interception midway through the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run.

"It's up to us if we want to make the playoffs," Martin said. "If we win out, we get to go. We don't have to worry about what anybody else does."

At Joe Debely Stadium

Los Banos 0 7 7 0 -- 14

Pitman 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Second Quarter

LB -- Erik Martin 1 run (Freddy Romero kick)

Third Quarter

LB -- Martin 2 run (Romero kick)

Records: Los Banos 3-1 CCC, 5-3; Pitman 2-2 CCC, 4-4.