Homecoming King leads Atwater past El Capitan in CCC Friday night thriller
On a homecoming night filled with fireworks, emotion and one more banner to chase, Atwater High reminded the Central California Conference just how explosive it can be.
Quarterback Ali “A.J.” Banks Jr. threw three touchdown passes, ran for another and was crowned homecoming king at halftime as the Falcons outlasted El Capitan 49-41 Friday night at Falcon Field.
The win snapped a two-game skid and kept Atwater (4-3, 1-1 CCC) in the hunt for its first league title since 1998. Both teams were penalized heavily — 15 times for Atwater, 12 for El Capitan — in a game that featured more than 700 yards of combined offense.
Banks completed 9 of 17 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 61 yards and a score, and kept his composure through a fourth-quarter Gaucho surge.
Senior running back Durrell Morrison added 163 total yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion, while senior scat back Alejandro Naranjo ripped off a 69-yard counter-play touchdown run. Senior safety Isaiah Alameda’s pick-six midway through the third quarter was the turning point.
“We lost pretty last week, so we won ugly this week,” coach Seneca Ybarra said. “El Cap’s an improving program, Coach X is doing an excellent job. We got up big in the third, got comfortable, and then they stormed back. Credit to them — they played really hard. We had to take it; they didn’t give it to us.”
Banks said the win meant more than his homecoming crown.
“It was a team win,” the senior said. “I was just free and I can play wherever I want.”
He said it was “personal” after the team’s loss to Buhach Colony last week in their annual “Bloss Bowl.”
“We just wanted to stick together and fight,” he said. “Coach Ybarra’s back, we’ve got chemistry, and we’re locked in.”
Banks added that the team’s goals haven’t changed.
“It’s big — that’s been the goal since spring,” he said. “Our defense is ready, and we’re here to play.”
Morrison, who leads the CCC in rushing, credited his blockers for another big night.
“My body’s sore right now, but I’m thankful for my offensive line — they were doing their thing,” Morrison said. “Sweep plays were working all night. We came out with energy, set the tone, and the locker room was fired up. It’s been way too long since Atwater’s won a banner. Just know, we’re coming.”
Ybarra praised his seniors for setting that tone.
“A.J.’s been with me three years — I put a lot on his plate, and he’s up for the challenge,” Ybarra said. “Durrell’s a worker. He trains year-round, and it’s great to see all that hard work paying off.”
El Capitan (3-4, 0-2) made it a fight to the end. Quarterback Sergio Mendoza threw for 111 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another and added a two-point conversion. Lorenzo Peters carried 26 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns, and caught a 50-yard scoring pass.
Despite falling short, Gauchos coach Xavier Ramirez said his team’s grit stood out.
“Our boys battled today,” Ramirez said. “It was a hard-fought game and I’m proud of our guys. We were in it the whole time; the guys didn’t quit. They just kept fighting. Do the little things right, keep on the grind, and things will come our way.”
Atwater hosts Golden Valley next week, while El Capitan returns home to face Merced.
