Football Roundup: Hilmar stops Los Banos on late two-point conversion to earn victory
Hilmar High quarterback Merek Ellerd led the Yellowjackets to their first win of the season, throwing two touchdowns and running for another score in a 21-20 victory over Los Banos at McSweeney Field on Friday night.
Ellerd connected with sophomore receiver Nathan Ayala for both of his touchdown passes.
Los Banos quarterback Josh Gargano scored all three Tigers’ touchdowns on the ground, including a 70-yard touchdown run in the first half.
Gargano scored on a 1-yard TD run to pull Los Banos (0-2) within 21-20 with under 5 minutes left in the game. Tigers head coach Dustin Caropreso opted to go for the two-point conversion and the lead, but Gargano’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Hilmar’s Nathan Sequeira.
The Yellowjackets were able to run out the clock to improve to 1-1 this season.
Atwater 52, McNair 22 — Both Falcons quarterbacks AJ Banks and James Bell turned in strong performances as Atwater improved to 2-0.
Banks threw two touchdowns and ran for two scores. Bell added a touchdown pass and scored on the ground.
Luis Orozco scored on a fumble return for the Falcons.
Bullard 70, Buhach Colony 3 — The Thunder couldn’t slow down the Knights’ potent offense all night.
Buhach Colony dropped to 0-2 on the season.
Escalon 25, Golden Valley 9 — Ben Gonzalez returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and added an interception on defense for Escalon.
Gabe Richards accounted for Golden Valley’s only touchdown in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
Golden Valley dropped to 0-2 on the season.
Chowchilla 41, Dos Palos 21 — Dellvonta Vaughn and Dwayne Hemphill each scored two touchdowns to lead the Tribe (2-0) in a matchup of two small-school Central Section programs with aspirations of making deep runs in the playoffs.
Vaughn recorded a rushing touchdown and returned an interception for a score. Hemphill scored on a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.
Travis Selby and Davian Stephenson each added touchdowns on the ground for Chowchilla.
Pacheco 16, Chavez 14 — The Panthers outscored the Titans 13-0 in the second half to overcome a 14-3 deficit.
Pacheco running back Isaac Valencia scored on a 9-yard touchdown run that pulled Pacheco within 14-9 in the third quarter.
Brennan Watkins then connected with tight end Peyton Mosley for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers (1-1) a 16-14 lead with 10 minutes, 18 seconds remaining in the game.
Sonora 45, Livingston 7 — The Wildcats sprinted out to a 31-7 lead by halftime and cruised to their second win of the season.
Minarets 34, Mariposa 20 — Grizzlies quarterback Hayden Hill threw for 172 yards and a touchdown and added 56 rushing yards and a score in a loss on Thursday night.
Junior receiver Laten Butler caught six passes for 119 yards.
Mariposa dropped to 0-2 this season.
Ceres 16, Delhi 0 — The Hawks offense couldn’t get going against the Bulldogs on Thursday night.
Delhi dropped to 1-1 on the season.
