- The Gauchos scored a season high six touchdowns.
- After allowing 40+ points in their last four games, the Gauchos defense limited the Panthers to just 15 total points.
The El Capitan Gauchos earned their first win of the season Friday night, beating the Modesto Panthers 42-15. This was their second home game at their new stadium. With both Modesto and El Capitan winless on the season coming into the game, the matchup promised to be a competitive one as both teams searched for their first win.
Modesto seized possession in the first quarter and immediately moved the ball into Gaucho territory. After stalling in Gauchos territory, the Panthers ran a reverse on fourth down that allowed them to take the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. Although, the lead didn’t last long. El Capitan took possession and quickly marched downfield as Evan Jenkins and Byron Caballero led the rushing attack for the Gauchos. Jenkins put the Gauchos on the scoreboard first with a two-yard touchdown run.
“I saw land; I took it, and I ended up scoring,” said Evan Jenkins as he recalled his first touchdown run.
In the second quarter, the Gauchos held the Panthers and reclaimed possession around midfield, Caballero brought the Gauchos to the six-yard line after bouncing a run to the outside and storming downfield. The Gauchos took a 14-7 lead after Jesse Morgan finished the drive with a touchdown run. As the Gauchos took the lead for the first time since week two, the players on the field could feel the momentum swinging their way. The Panthers were unable to establish a consistent rushing attack, which allowed the Gauchos to get the ball back before the end of the half. Morgan quickly took the team downfield with perimeter passes and rushes off the edge. The drive set up a touchdown on a rollout pass from Morgan to Joshua Reid, giving the Gauchos a 20-7 lead before halftime.
In the second half of the game, the Gauchos’ defense continued to put pressure on the Modesto quarterback. Unable to move the ball, the Panthers gave it to the Gauchos around midfield. Another touchdown by Evan Jenkins, his second of the night, extended the Gauchos’ lead to 28-7. Modesto gave the Gauchos some trouble on the ensuing possession as running back Anthony Varela broke free on a long run that set Modesto up in the red zone. The Panthers finished the drive with a touchdown that cut the lead to 28-15.
However, a botched onside kick by the Panthers set the Gauchos up with a short field and a lot of confidence. Morgan went back to work for El Capitan, running the ball down to the six yard line. Two plays later he scored on a three yard run. And just like that, the Gauchos were up 35-15. The Gauchos defense held the Panthers for the rest of the game as El Capitan won 42-15, marking their first win in their new stadium as well as their first win of the season.
“This win means a lot. It’s our first win in our new stadium. We were hyped before the game. The energy was really hot,” said junior running back Evan Jenkins as he described the team’s victory.
The Gauchos will have a bye next week before beginning CCC league play on October 9 against Golden Valley High. Modesto High will also begin league play on October 9 as they host Pitman High after their bye week.
- Photos by Yoanna Morales. ↩︎
