- The Bears also scored two touchdowns on defense and a touchdown on special teams.
- The Bears have won their last 23 CCC league game dating back to 2022.
Merced and Los Banos met Friday night with both teams looking to make a statement in Central California Conference play. The Bears entered the matchup at 5-2 overall, and tied for first in the CCC. While the Tigers sat at 4-3, hoping to climb their way atop the standings if they could pull off an upset on the road.
Merced opened the scoring in the first quarter when quarterback Raul Diaz Moreno IV connected with Israel Rodas for a 14-yard touchdown. Jomei Montes added the extra point to give the Bears a 7-0 lead. After falling behind, Los Banos attempted a trick play, but Merced’s defense stopped the Tigers in their tracks. The Bears carried their seven-point lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bears turned the ball over on downs. The Tigers quickly moved the ball downfield, reaching the Bears’ five-yard line. However, before the Tigers could find the endzone, a fumble by the Tigers allowed Merced’s Anthony Ward to regain possession. Shortly after the recovery, Moreno found Rodas for another touchdown, making the score 14-0.
However, Moreno and Rodas weren’t done yet. Later in the quarter, they connected for their third touchdown of the game, a 41-yard reception. When asked what led to their success, Moreno spoke about Israel Rodas’ impact on the game. “They kept playing man on us, and they had a sophomore, a young corner, and we just kept using Izzy’s speed to beat them.”
At this point, the Bears had all the momentum. Eager to find some points before halftime, the Tigers tried to attack through the air, but Bears linebacker Brandon Peel intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The Bears took a 28-0 lead into halftime.
Merced continued their scoring run in the third quarter when Moreno connected with Charles Polk for his fourth touchdown pass of the game. The Bears added another touchdown on defense, a fumble recovery in the endzone, and on special teams when Brody Dabney blocked a Los Banos punt and returned it for a touchdown. Los Banos eventually answered with a touchdown of its own when Elijah Chiappetta caught a pass and worked his way into the end zone to put Los Banos on the scoreboard before the end of the third quarter. The Tigers were able to manage another touchdown, but the Bears easily cruised to their fourth straight victory by finishing with a 49-12 victory.
Despite the success, quarterback Raul Moreno said the team still has areas they want to improve: “Our run game, for sure.” Moreno also credited the coaching staff for helping build the team’s close bond, saying, “Our coach, he builds the chemistry and the relationship, the expectations for everybody, and we all just follow it.”
For Moreno, who transferred to Merced from Pacheco High in Los Banos, the win also meant getting a victory over a familiar opponent. “This is my old crosstown rival, so I just wanted to beat them,” he said.
- Photos by Grace Gallegos. ↩︎
