- Central Valley scored four rushing touchdowns by three different running backs.
- Hawks quarterback Roberto Gomez threw for two touchdowns.
- El Capitan receiver Austin Gooding caught his third touchdown reception of the season.
Friday night marked a historic moment for El Capitan High School. As their football team played their first game in their new stadium. Since the school opened in 2013, the football program has bounced between Veterans Field at Golden Valley High and Merced College’s Stadium ‘76 for their home games. Prior to the game, emotions ran high as the school debuted its first football game at the new stadium, complete with a helicopter flyover and an unfurling of the American flag.
Yet, as the festivities wrapped up and the game kicked off, El Capitan’s opponent, Central Valley, had no interest in joining the celebration. Their mindset was on spoiling the party. The game opened with an onside kick which El Capitan recovered, giving them possession to start the game. The Gauchos worked their way down the field with ease on the opening drive and finished with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jesse Morgan to wide receiver Austin Gooding, giving the Gauchos a seven point lead at 7-0.
However, in the second quarter the Hawks began to find their stride. After intercepting Jesse Morgan’s pass, the Hawks tied the game after quarterback Roberto Gomez found his tight end Adrian De La Hoya for a big gain. After the touchdown, it was Central Valley’s turn to attempt an onside kick, which they easily recovered. With their next possession, they quickly drove down the field and took the lead after Gomez once again executed a clean throw to junior Julian Perez for a 9-yard touchdown pass.
The Hawks doubled down on their special teams as they executed another onside kick recovery, which kept the Gauchos offense off the field. After another deep pass by Central Valley that set them up inside the five-yard line, the Hawks extended their lead when Jeremiah Moreno smashed through the middle of the defense for six points. With the score now 20-7, El Capitan was in a bit of a daze until the ensuing kickoff. The Gauchos got a big play when they needed it as Evan Jenkins returned the kickoff for another Gauchos touchdown making the score 20-14 with 2:32 left in the half. The Hawks air attack was not done, however, as Roberto Gomez drove the Hawks downfield with big gains through the air. Central Valley was able to close out the half with another rushing touchdown, making the score 26-14 at halftime.
The Gauchos came out of halftime looking to close the gap, but the Hawks continued to control the game. El Capitan began with the football. Both teams traded possessions and exchanged punts as they settled in the second half. At one point in the third quarter, the Gauchos forced a Hawks’ fumble which they recovered at their 4 yard line. However, after the officials got together, they overturned their own call and declared an inadvertent whistle was blown, which gave Central Valley the ball back. The Hawks converted a touchdown from the Gauchos three yard line and increased their lead to 34-14. In the fourth quarter, both teams traded touchdowns, but the Gauchos were unable to get back into the game and eventually lost by a final score of 41-20.
After the game Central Valley junior Julian Perez, who plays running back and receiver, reflected on what the win meant, “Honestly, it feels good. Like, you know, we’ve become super close, and like doing what your brothers do, that just feels super good … It’s a big momentum booster, I think. And I’m excited for what’s to come, honestly.” Perez finished with a touchdown reception. Alongside him, Roberto Gomez also reflected on the team’s growth. He said the win felt good, especially after last week’s setback. Looking ahead Gomez said “We have a bright future ahead for us, and everyone should be on the look out for us.”
The Central Valley Hawks offense looked quite dynamic in this game. Their pinpoint special teams kept the Gauchos off the field long enough for the Hawks to take a big lead. Now they are 1-1 and head into a bye week before facing Modesto High school on Friday, September 17.
El Capitan High, meanwhile, is now 0-2 after allowing 40+ points in back to back games. The Gauchos came up short in their first home game of the season, but they’ll look to put that result behind them as they hit the road for their next game. The Gauchos will have an extra day of preparation next week as they travel to Sacred Heart Preparatory for their next game on Saturday, September 12.
- Photos by Yoanna Morales. ↩︎
