Merced records first win in new stadium with victory over Atwater in Santa Fe Bowl 52
The Merced High football team opened up Central California Conference play with a convincing 44-7 victory over Atwater in Sante Fe Bowl 52 on Friday night.
The win marked the first victory in new Cathie Hostetler Stadium for the Bears, which had lost to Central Catholic and Downey in their other two home games.
The Bears (2-3 overall, 1-0 CCC) dominated from the start.
Chase Smith and Adarias Morales-Saetern scored early touchdowns and it just snowballed from there for Merced as the Bears opened up a 30-0 lead against the Falcons (1-4, 0-1 CCC).
Atwater’s lone score came on a long touchdown pass from Tyler Parr to Colton Dukes.
Merced now owns a 37-15 all-time lead in the series.
Merced will host Patterson (4-1, 1-0 CCC) in a CCC showdown next week. Atwater hosts El Capitan.
Patterson 72, El Capitan 0 — The Gauchos dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in the CCC.
El Capitan extended its losing streak to 16 consecutive games.
Hilmar 35, Livingston 0 — The Yellowjackets snapped a two-game losing streak with a shutout over the Wolves to being Trans-Valley League play.
Hilmar (2-3 overall, 1-0 TVL) will host Ripon next week. Livingston (2-3, 0-1 TVL) travels to Hughson.
Los Banos 30, Beyer 6 — Jaminson Braniff returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the Tigers were off and running to a lopsided victory in their Western Athletic Conference opener.
Los Banos quarterback David Herrera scored two rushing touchdowns and George Garcia returned an interception for a score for the Tigers.
Los Banos improves to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the WAC.
Pacheco 16, Johansen 6 — Abel Bravo and Abraham Fernandez scored touchdowns as the Panthers defeated the Vikings in the WAC opener for both teams.
Pacheco (2-2, 1-0 WAC) hosts Lathrop next week.
Orestimba 21, Le Grand 14 — Alex Millan connected on two long touchdown passes to Drew Ferber or 45 and 43 yards as the Warriors handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
Julian Bucio threw two touchdowns for Le Grand, connecting with Reyes Diaz on a 4-yard score and later with Ronnie Ramirez for a 25-yard strike that gave the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead late in the first half.
Orestimba improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Southern League.
Le Grand drops to 3-1 and 0-1 in the SL.
Mariposa 10, Gustine 6 — The Grizzlies took a 10-6 lead late in the first quarter with a field goal and neither team scored the rest of the way.
Mariposa remained unbeaten at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SL. Gustine dropped to 2-2 and 0-1.
Stone Ridge Christian 45, Vacaville Christian 0 — Micah Millikan rushed for two touchdowns and returned an interception for a score to help the Knights improve to 4-1.
Hector Esquivel added two touchdown runs and freshman Daijon O’Neil showed off some big-play ability with a 50-yard punt return and a 63-yard touchdown run.
This story was originally published September 17, 2022 at 12:29 AM.
