Atwater grinds out victory over Golden Valley. Los Banos remains undefeated.

When you’re clawing and scratching, trying to find anyway to finish on top, there is no such thing as an ugly win.

The Atwater High football team gladly left Veterans Stadium with a 14-13 victory over Golden Valley on Friday night.

“A couple years ago we lost to (Golden Valley) in (double overtime) by an extra point,” said Atwater coach Seneca Ybarra. “I thought we exercised some demons tonight. We got one. I was thinking about that game when I was looking up at the clock late. That was kind of the same thing, both teams came into the game struggling and it was an awful game. A lot of turnovers and penalties.”

The Falcons offense came up with the big drive when they needed as Alberto Ramos scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick barely cleared the crossbar to give Atwater a 14-13 lead with 3:45 left in the game.

The Atwater defense then came up with two interceptions down the stretch to stop the Cougars (0-8, 0-4 Central California Conference).

The Falcons (2-5, 1-2) opened the game with Charles Jackson scoring on a 79-yard run on their first offensive play of the game.

Golden Valley twice turned the ball over the red zone in the first quarter. The Cougars drove deep inside Atwater territory twice in the second quarter but had to settle for pair of field goals by Marcus Baladad to pull within 7-6 at the half.

Jakob Rodriguez gave the Cougars a 13-7 lead with 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.

The Falcons answered in the fourth quarter and the defense held.

“The defense played lights out,” Ybarra said. “As a defensive coach, I like to see that. I like slugfests. The kids are excited. We have a young team. We’re going to make mistakes, but it’s onward and upward.”

Los Banos 50, Central Valley 29 in Ceres – The Tigers (7-0 overall, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference) exploded for 42 points in the second half to remained unbeaten this season.

Los Banos quarterback Anthony Caballero hooked up with receiver Daniel Guerrero for touchdown passes of 61, 60 and 62 yards in the third quarter.

Tigers running back Antonio Lopez then put the game away with three touchdown runs in the fourth quarter. Lopez finished with 175 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Caballero completed 10 of 18 passes for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns with Guerrero hauling in four receptions for 197 yards. Paulie Calderon added five catches for 128 yards.

Juan Bravo turned in a monster performance for the Tigers defense with 10 tackles, including four sacks and two other tackles for loss.

Pacheco 35, Livingston 14 in Los Banos – Shane Barton ran for two first-half touchdowns and twin brother Aric Barton scored on touchdown runs of 53 and 57 yards as the Panthers (3-4, 1-1 WAC) celebrated homecoming in style.

Hilmar 29, Hughson 19 in Hughson – Isaac Sharpe returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and added a 10-yard touchdown run to lead the Yellowjackets (4-3, 1-1 Trans-Valley League) past the Huskies. Hilmar quarterback Tristan Crowley twice connected on touchdown throws to receiver Carter Azevedo.

Le Grand 12, Delhi 11 in Le Grand – Bulldogs quarterback Beto Marquez scored on a 2-yard run and found Michael Dinkins on a 6-yard pass for Le Grand’s two touchdowns. Jonathan Maldonado ran for 89 yards on 15 carries for the Bulldogs, who improve to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Southern League.

Gustine 20, Ripon Christian 6 in Ripon – Oliver Perez ran for an 8-yard touchdown and kicked two field goals, including a 47-yard attempt as the Reds (6-1, 4-0 SL) defeated the Knights.

Stone Ridge Christian 22, Golden Sierra 14 in Garden Valley – Bryce Louters did a little of everything for the Knights. The SRC quarterback completed 7 of 9 passes for 102 yards and ran for 144 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He also had seven tackles and one interception on defense and kicked two field goals.

Cole Houweling sealed the game with a pick-six for the Knights (7-1).

Other Area scores:

Mariposa 44, Waterford 19

Coalinga 41, Dos Palos 7

Chowchilla 41, Washington Union 28

This story was originally published October 14, 2017 at 12:32 AM with the headline "Atwater grinds out victory over Golden Valley. Los Banos remains undefeated.."