Sophomore QB rallies Los Banos’ Pacheco High past Merced’s El Capitan

David Snapp pulled his sophomore quarterback to the side after practice Thursday to ask how he was feeling.

Aric Barton, who made just his second start Friday night, admitted to some nerves entering Pacheco’s Western Athletic Conference showdown with El Capitan. Snapp joked that his young quarterback might be a better relief pitcher than a starter after he fearlessly replaced the injured Carl Schofield the week before in a loss to Central Valley.

Snapp won’t be doubting him after Friday’s performance. Barton passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two to help the Panthers rally for a 47-39 victory over the Gauchos at Veterans Stadium.

“I’ve said it before, but the kid is just a gamer,” Snapp said. “He shook off some early mistakes. I think he fumbled twice in the red zone early on, but he and the other kids kept battling. His growth back there from just the last couple weeks has been really neat to see.”

Barton’s first varsity win wasn’t an easy one. The Gauchos (2-4, 1-1 WAC) led 25-15 at halftime. Da’Vonya Shepherd scored on a three-yard run and a 62-yard pass from Chase Whitaker, and Gordon Harris returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown.

Pacheco (2-4, 1-1) answered to open the second half on a 15-yard score. Carlos Garcia followed with a one-yard touchdown plunge set up by Chris Munoz’s interception to give the Panthers a 28-25 lead.

The shootout was on from there. The teams exchanged the lead three times in the second half, with Whitaker throwing for two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Alijah Siordia’s 53-yard touchdown run with about six minutes to play put Pacheco up for good. Barton added a 10-yard scoring pass to Cameron Castro with about two minutes left.

“We may have given up 39 points, but it’s probably the best defensive performance we’ve had this season,” Snapp said. “(Joshua) Stewart got hurt early on, and they didn’t really have much of a run game to speak of after that. It was just a matter of limiting their home runs in the passing game.

“We made some adjustments and did a much better job of that in the second half.”

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 12:52 AM with the headline "Sophomore QB rallies Los Banos’ Pacheco High past Merced’s El Capitan."