Merced High football runs efficiently under Eli Gutierrez

Eli Gutierrez says it's just instinct. The Merced quarterback can feel when its time to tuck the ball under his arm and run.

Gutierrez had a big hand -- and feet -- in the Bears' double-overtime upset of Clovis West two weeks ago, running for 116 yards and both touchdowns in the extra sessions.

Tonight he'll lead Merced (1-1) against Fresno-based Edison (1-1) at Veterans Stadium at 7:30.

Gutierrez's legs were a big reason he won the starting quarterback job just before the start of the season.

"It was really a combination of two things," Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. "Our inexperience on the offensive line and our ability to open the playbook with him at quarterback.

"Our playbook expands with his ability to run. Our running game becomes more complex as we accent his strengths. Even if we don't block everything right he can still make a play happen because of this athleticism with the football."

Gutierrez battled sophomore Drew Romo for the quarterback spot. The left-handed Romo was more a pure passer.

"It was very intense," Gutierrez said. "We pushed each other and taught each other things.

"It was amazing when I was named starter. I couldn't even put it into words what it meant to me."

Gutierrez played well in the Bears' opener against Paradise, but threw two key interceptions in the 20-13 loss. He then came back against Clovis West a week later and didn't turn the ball over once.

"That's the first thing you look at," Scheidt said. "We had those turnovers against Paradise and they were costly for us. In Game 2, he not only managed the game and the clock, but he possessed the football. That allowed us to win the game. If we turn the ball over we probably lose that game."

Gutierrez gets more comfortable each day.

Tonight he'll face an Edison team with an imposing defensive line anchored by defensive tackles Brandon Wright (6-foot-1, 320 pounds) and Shaquille Holmes (6-2, 315).

"They're athletic at the skill positions, and up front they're very big," Scheidt said. "It seems like the longer I've been coaching, guys have been getting bigger and bigger. When you got (guys) 315 and 320, you've got matchup issues."

Meanwhile, Golden Valley and Atwater will take on a pair of Modesto Metro Conference teams tonight. Golden Valley (1-1) travels to Johansen (1-1) and Atwater (1-1) hosts Beyer (2-1).

Other key games include the Westside War with Los Banos (2-1) hosting Dos Palos (0-1) and Buhach Colony (3-0) playing Lodi (0-2) at Bear Creek.