Football roundup: Big plays and shutouts highlight Week 6 across Merced County
League play is heating up across Merced County, and Friday night delivered plenty of evidence. From defensive stands in Trans-Valley League matchups to eye-popping offensive totals in the Southern League, local teams used Week 6 to stake their claims in the playoff race.
Le Grand 21, Waterford 14 — Le Grand earned a hard-fought road victory behind a balanced attack, improving to 4-1 and 2-0 in league play. Freshman RB Thomas Benting rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown, while senior QB Diego Martinez added 80 passing yards and a score. Junior WR Blake Lua caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs’ defense held Waterford to 7 points in each half.
Escalon 27, Hilmar 9 — Senior QB Logan Huebner accounted for all four Cougar touchdowns — a 60-yard trick-play reception, a nine-yard run and TD passes of 62 and 40 yards — as Escalon snapped a three-game skid and evened its Trans-Valley League record. The Cougars’ defense kept Hilmar out of the end zone until the closing minutes.
Stone Ridge Christian 42, Delhi 0 — Stone Ridge Christian dominated from the outset, scoring 35 points by halftime and cruising to a shutout that lifted the Knights to 4-1. Junior QB Marcus Gray connected on a 45-yard touchdown to senior WR Daijon Oneil, and the defense forced multiple three-and-outs to keep Delhi winless in league play.
Mariposa County 52, Modesto Christian 18 — The Grizzlies’ offense rolled to 448 total yards, extending their unbeaten streak to five. Junior RB Rusty Bull rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns, sophomore QB Austin Battles threw for 162 yards and two scores, and senior WR Laten Butler added five catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Battles also ran for two scores as well, proving to be a dominating offensive performance.
Denair 42, Gustine 14 — Denair sits neck-and-neck with Le Grand at the top of the Southern League standings after their win over Gustine. The Coyotes exploded for 28 first-quarter points and never looked back. They added touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to secure a lopsided league victory, while Gustine’s late score only narrowed the margin.
Lathrop 20, Grace Davis 9 — Lathrop stayed perfect in league action, scoring twice in the first half and sealing the win with a fourth-quarter touchdown. The Spartans’ defense clamped down after halftime, with the Spartans scoring only on a safety. Lathrop improved to 4-1, and 2-0 in the Western League after their defensive victory over Grace Davis.
Other scores:
Immanuel 44, El Capitan 20
Central Valley 28, Pacheco 20
Livingston 31, Beyer 14
Johansen 22, Ceres 16
