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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Statement made: Los Banos hammers Atwater, remains in first

LOS BANOS -- Dennis Stubbs said his team had an opportunity to make a statement this week.

Boy, did they ever.

The scoreboard said it all: Los Banos 41, Atwater 0.

"It was (a statement game) and our kids knew it," said Stubbs, whose team moved one step closer to a possible Central California Conference title.

"We've been playing well. We've only given up 30 points in league. Two of our losses are to Tracy, who's undefeated, and St. Mary's, who's undefeated.

"We've played some tough teams and I don't think people see that."

Stubbs has been telling anybody who will listen the last few weeks how he felt his team had finally turned the corner.

It's tough to argue after their performance Friday night.

Los Banos (4-1 CCC, 6-3 overall) dominated Atwater in every way possible.

Stubbs' defense recorded its second straight shutout, and they did it in impressive fashion.

Los Banos didn't use any exotic defenses to try to slow down Atwater star Nathan Sanchez.

Metaphorically, they just lined up and punched Atwater in the mouth all night long.

Sanchez completed just 4 of 14 passes for 39 yards and added just 30 yards on the ground.

Atwater (3-2, 6-3) managed just one first down and 25 yards of offense in the first half.

"I think we did a great job on their quarterback," Stubbs said. "He's been their whole offense. He leads them in rushing, passing and he's scored the most touchdowns.

"We didn't do anything special. We just told our two outside linebackers to be aware of him."

Los Banos' offense finally got on track in a big way.

Quarterback Erik Martin carved up the Atwater secondary, completing 12 of 22 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

Martin was in sync with receiver Max Ornelas (seven catches for 142 yards) and Jerrell Minor (three catches for 96 yards) all night.

"We just came together," Minor said. "We knew we had to pick it up on offense. Our defense has been taking care of business.

"If our offense can come together with our defense, we'll be unstoppable."

Martin hooked up with Minor on a 59-yard touchdown pass near the end of the first quarter to put LB in front, 7-0.

Los Banos went to the air early and often.

"We were worried up front," Stubbs said. "Atwater had been handling everybody. Nobody's been able to run against them. They put a lot of guys -- sometimes as many as nine -- in the box.

"We knew we had to throw the ball. We knew their corners would be playing man and we feel we have two of the best receivers in the league. We know Erik can find them if we gave him time and we got time tonight."

The game quickly got away from Atwater in the second quarter.

Los Banos' Dylan Marques blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.

Ornelas hauled in a 9-yard touchdown pass on Los Banos' next drive and Minor returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown just before the half.

"Los Banos just dominated the line of scrimmage," Atwater coach Bob Valladao said. "They got the blocked punt and things just kind of snowballed from there."

Los Banos heads into the final week against Buhach Colony needing a win to clinch at least a share of the CCC title.

"All summer I told people I thought we could be a pretty good football team," Stubbs said. "It was just a matter of when.

"It took seven weeks. But it's been pretty fun to watch."

Central California Conference

LOS BANOS 41, ATWATER 0

At Los Banos

Atwater 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Los Banos 7 21 7 6 -- 41

First Quarter

LB -- Jerrell Minor 59 pass from Erik Martin (Freddie Romero kick)

Second Quarter

LB -- Dylan Marques punt block recovered in end zone (Romero kick)

LB -- Max Ornelas 9 pass from Martin (Romero kick)

LB -- Minor 58 punt return (Romero kick)

Third Quarter

LB -- Paul Jacob 3 run (Romero kick)

Fourth Quarter

LB -- Greg Williams 2 run (kick failed)

Records: Atwater 3-2 CCC, 6-3 overall; Los Banos 4-1, 6-3.

JV -- Los Banos won 18-7.