Central California

Schedule/Scores

Week 0 Scores
Los Banos 37, Fresno 8...Merced 0, Bullard 41
Pitman 15, Paradise 48...Golden Valley 44, North Monterey County 37
Buhach Colony 23, Madera South 0

Week 1 Scores
Los Banos 24, Tracy 27...Turlock 6, Oakdale 56
Atwater 12, Bullard 35...Pitman 41, Skyline 6
Golden Valley 52, Downey 14...Buhach Colony 34, Enochs 20

Week 2 Scores
Atwater 49, Johansen 14...Buhach Colony 67, Beyer 38
Pitman 34, Oakmont 35...Los Banos 35, Dos Palos 19
Turlock 14, Grace-Davis 35...Merced 22, Napa 43
Golden Valley 28, Jesuit 42

Week 3 Scores
Atwater 54, Beyer 31...Merced 3, Fresno-Edison 34
Buhach Colony 0, Escalon 37...Pitman 77, Downey 35
Turlock 28, Modesto 43...Golden Valley 30, Johansen 44
Los Banos 7, St. Mary's 39

Week 4 Scores
Merced 13, Del Oro 38...Buhach Colony 6, Pitman 35
Los Banos 28, Turlock 12...Atwater 56, Golden Valley 6

Week 5 Scores
Merced 6, Los Banos 3...Golden Valley 53, Turlock 8
Buhach Colony 36, Atwater 28

Week 6 Scores
Merced 33, Buhach Colony 30...Atwater 50, Johnson 0
Pitman 40, Turlock 6...Los Banos 49, Golden Valley 12

Week 7 Scores
Merced 55, Golden Valley 20...Buhach Colony 79, Turlock 56
Pitman 14, Atwater 42

Week 8 Scores
Los Banos 14, Pitman 0...Buhach Colony 69, Golden Valley 19
Atwater 21, Merced 20...Turlock 42, Cordova 65

Week 9 Scores
Atwater 0, Los Banos 41...Merced 41, Turlock 14
Pitman 76, Golden Valley 45

Week 10 Scores
Atwater 41, Turlock 10...Pitman 49, Merced 7
Los Banos 48, Buhach Colony 47 

 

2009 CNS Sports Central California Conference Awards

League MVP: Markus Sanders, RB, Pitman
Offensive MVP: Corey Chapman, RB, Buhach Colony
Defensive MVP: Marques Barron, DE, Merced
Best Lineman:  Brian Sevilla, DE/FB, Atwater
Elite 15: Nathan Sanchez, QB/S, Atwater; Marques Barron, DE, Merced; Markus Sanders, RB, Pitman; Corey Chapman, RB, Buhach Colony; Dallon Muse, RB/DB, Buhach Colony; Anthony Pruneda, OL, Buhach Colony; D.J. Dawson, DL, Buhach Colony; Adam Wakefield, DL, Buhach Colony; Colton Risely, WR/DB, Pitman; Julio Iglesias, LB, Los Banos; Erik Martin, QB, Los Banos; Dylan Marques, DB, Los Banos; Max Ornelas, WR/DB, Los Banos; Jaquari People, CB/UT, Merced; Brian Sevilla, FB/DL, Atwater; Gary Womack, OL/DL, Merced.

UNIT/TEAM AWARDS
Best Offensive Backfield: BUHACH COLONY
Best Offensive Line: BUHACH COLONY
Best Receiving Corps: LOS BANOS
Best Defensive Line: ATWATER
Best Linebacking Corps: LOS BANOS
Best Defensive Backfield: LOS BANOS

2009 Central California Conference All-League

MVP -- Nathan Sanchez, Atwater
Best Offensive Player -- Markus Sanders, Pitman
Best Defensive Player -- Julio Iglesias, Los Banos
Lineman of the Year -- Marques Barron, Merced
Coach of the Year -- Dennis Stubbs, Los Banos

First Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback -- Nathan Sanchez, Atwater; Kevin Kramer, Turlock.
Running Back -- Corey Chapman, Buhach Colony; Markus Sanders, Pitman; Dallon Muse, Buhach Colony.
Wide Receiver -- Max Ornelas, Los Banos; Jerell Minor, Los Banos.
Tight End -- Andrew Morgan, Atwater
Offensive Line -- Shane Nelson, Los Banos; Chris Hogue, Atwater; Gary Womack, Merced; Than Alvares, Pitman; Anthony Pruneda, Buhach Colony.

DEFENSE
Defensive Line -- Marco Dicochea, Los Banos; Marques Barron, Merced; Malcolm Mann, Merced; Dustin Bender, Atwater; Pablo Guerrero, Pitman.
Linebacker -- Matt Nunes, Los Banos; Brian Sevilla, Atwater; Julio Iglesias, Los Banos; Angel Molina, Atwater; Andy Saeteurn, Merced.
Defensive Back -- Dylan Marques, Los Banos; Nathan Sanchez, Atwater; Jaquari People, Merced.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker -- John Guerrero, Atwater
Punter -- Juan Valencia, Merced

Second Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback -- Erik Martin, Los Banos
Running Back -- Eric DeAnda, Merced; Matt DeLora, Golden Valley.
Wide Receiver -- Everardo Olide, Turlock; Giovanni Dalmaso, Atwater.
Tight End -- Marques Barron, Merced.
Offensive Line -- Darrel Begonia, Los Banos; Nathan Terry, Golden Valley; Efrain Mendoza, Atwater; Taj Brown, Merced; Chris Netniss, Pitman.

DEFENSE
Defensive Line -- Sal Rendon, Los Banos; Nathan Terry, Golden Valley; Armando Garcia, Atwater; Adam Wakefield, Buhach Colony. 
Linebacker -- Brian Durham, Los Banos; Jarrod Mounce, Merced; Marcus Arista, Los Banos; Chase Torba, Pitman.
Defensive Back -- Andrew Mendoza, Merced; Jordan Kaiser, Buhach Colony; Derek Nidey, Pitman.
 

AROUND THE LEAGUE: WEEK 9

 

November 7, 2009

 

Just when you think you've got it all figured out...you don't!  After an amazing, last minute 21-20 victory over red-hot Merced in week 8, everybody thought that Atwater had proven themselves to be the best team in the CCC and the one destined to win the 2009 league championship.  Heading into this week, Atwater was in a three way tie for first place with Merced, whom they had just beaten, and Los Banos, the last obstacle in their path to a league championship.  Atwater had to feel pretty good about their chances; I mean Los Banos lost to Merced just a few weeks ago and Merced just beat them.  That should translate into a win, right?  WRONG!  Los Banos dominated Atwater from start to finish, winning a blow out victory that has now turned the entire league upside down!

The first interesting thing to ponder about this wacky CCC season is the obvious parity in the league.  It is true that Turlock has not really been able to compete with anybody and Golden Valley cannot slow anybody down enough to get a league victory.  However, any of the remaining five teams can beat any of the others on any given friday night (and that is why there is a possibility of a five way tie for first place in the league this year!).  Lets take a look at some of the crazy things that have happened in league play this year and see if anything make any sense at all!

♦ Merced beats Los Banos 6-3 in a defensive battle...Atwater wins a nail-biter over Merced 21-20 with a late touchdown...Atwater vs. Los Banos???  Los Banos crushes Atwater 41-0 without breaking a sweat.  Are these the same two teams that played against Merced?
♦ Pitman rolls Buhach Colony 35-6, looking like the toughest team in the CCC...Buhach Colony stuns red-hot Atwater 36-28...Atwater has no chance against Pitman, right? WRONG!  Atwater crushes Pitman 42-14 in week seven with a smashmouth running attack!
♦ Buhach Colony beats Atwater...Merced beats Buhach Colony...Atwater beats Merced

There have been so many crazy three way entanglements that it would be far too fitting for the regular season to end in a five way tie for first place!  As crazy as that sounds, it is very possible!  All that needs to happen next week is for Pitman to defeat Merced (which would create yet another three way paradox) and Buhach Colony to defeat Los Banos.  If Los Banos wins, then they still need a Merced loss in order to be crowned champions.  All Merced has to do to get themselves a league championship after their terrible 0-4 start is beat Pitman next Friday.  Buhach Colony, Pitman, and Atwater all need to win and pray for both a Los Banos and Merced loss.




 

THE LEAGUE TITLE RACE COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE

November 5, 2009


It is week nine and the CCC title is still totally up for grabs.  The most amazing thing, however, is the number of teams who still have a shot at claiming the league title!  Atwater, Los Banos and Merced are all tied for first in league play at 3-1, with this week's Atwater vs. Los Banos game having huge implications.  Currently in fourth place in the league, Buhach Colony still has a chance at a league title as well.  An outright title is still mathematically possible for them, but more likely than that is a three way or four way tie for first place that, via a tie-breaker, could leave them on top.  Here is a look at the top teams in the league and what they need to happen in order to be champions...
 
Atwater  (6-2, 3-1)  The Falcons are in the driver's seat after handing Merced their first league loss of the season last week in a thrilling, 21-20 last minute victory.  The biggest league game still remaining is this week's Atwater vs. Los Banos game, and if the Falcons win that one then they will surely be able to get by winless Turlock and win the league title.
Los Banos  (5-3, 3-1)  Los Banos is playing very well right now and is ready to fight for a league championship.  However, the road to a title will not be easy.  The Tigers must first beat red hot Atwater this week, then they have to contend with the three-headed rushing monster of Corey Chapman, Jarrell Davis and Dallon Muse at Buhach Colony.  Even if the Tigers win both of these games, they still need some help.  Their 3-6 loss to Merced means that Merced must lose a game or they will get the tie-breaker over Los Banos.
Merced   (3-5, 3-1)  After a horrific start the Merced Bears have things back on track and have a great chance of stealing another CCC league title.  To do so, they must defeat Turlock and Pitman, which they should be able to do, and they absolutely need Los Banos to beat Atwater this week.  If Los Banos beats Atwater and then loses to Buhach Colony, Merced wins an outright league title, if Los Banos wins both games, then Merced still gets the title via a tie-breaker.
Buhach Colony  (6-3, 3-2)  The Thunder have had a marvelous season that will include a playoff appearance and possible run and they will return most of their impact players next season.  They have plenty to be excited about, but this group of guys has but one thing on their minds at the moment...a league championship!  Buhach Colony must win their last game of the season, against a very tough Los Banos team, in order to have a shot at the title.  They must also get a lot of help.  If Los Banos beats Atwater this week, then Buhach beats Los Banos and Merced loses to both Turlock and Pitman, then Buhach Colony is the league champion.  This scenario is unlikely, however, because Merced will never lose to 0-8 Turlock.  However, this scenario is more plausible...Los Banos beats Atwater, Buhach Colony beats Los Banos, Merced beats Turlock but gets upset by Pitman.  Now, if Pitman beat Golden Valley the week before, then there would be a five way tie for first place with the standings looking like this...
TEAM                RECORD     LOSSES VS.
Buhach Colony    7-3, 4-2      Pitman, Merced
Atwater               7-3, 4-2      Buhach Colony, Los Banos
Los Banos           6-4, 4-2      Buhach Colony, Merced
Pitman                6-4, 4-2      Los Banos, Atwater
Merced               4-6, 4-2      Atwater, Pitman
It would be a true five way tie for first place with no head to head tie-breaker.  Perhaps, if they went next to an overall win tie-breaker then Buhach Colony would get the league title because of their victory over Atwater...but who knows?
Pitman  (4-4, 2-2)  After getting shut out in a 14-0 loss to Los Banos last week, the Pride have no realistic chance of being league champs.  Mathematically, as displayed above, there could be a five way tie for first place...but even then there is not likely to be a tie-breaker that would favor Pitman.  The Pride still, however, have a great shot at making the playoffs.  They would probably have to win their last two games, including a tough one against Merced, to do so.

BUHACH UPSETS ATWATER; GETS BACK INTO LEAGUE RACE

October 11, 2009

 

In the biggest Central California League game of the weekend, Buhach Colony came back and beat their cross-town rivals, 36-28.  Coming into the game, Atwater looked every bit the part of a league champion.  They had won three straight games, all of them blowouts, with their only loss coming in week one against state powerhouse Bullard.  Meanwhile, Buhach Colony had lost two straight after looking like a serious contender in opening the season at 3-0.  The Thunder came out this weekend and proved that their previous two losses were somewhat of a fluke, and that they truly are a serious contender for a league title.

Just three weeks ago, Buhach Colony was 3-0 and was turning heads with their fly offense, which at the time was producing more rushing yards per game than any other offense in the section.  However, week's three and four would bring the Thunder back down to earth, as they were pummeled 37-0 by Escalon and beaten badly by Pitman 35-6 the following week.  The Escalon game was a clear, undisputable beatdown but their loss to Pitman was a different story.  The Thunder were forced to play what will likely turn out to be one of the biggest Central California League games of the season without a few key players, including star running backs Jarrell Davis and Corey Chapman.  Chapman was the difference maker as he returned this week against Atwater, rushing for 250 yards on 27 carries and scoring all five of Buhach Colony's touchdowns.  The Thunder running game was not quite back to full strength, as Jarrell Davis (397 yards, 6 TD) is still not one hundred percent, but against a tough Atwater defense it looked every bit as deadly as it was early on in the season.  The Thunder did not complete a single pass in this game, but even though the Atwater defense was able to totally stack the line of scrimmage without any fear of a passing attack, Buhach Colony still amassed an impressive 484 rushing yards.  In addition to Corey Chapman's 250 yards, Thunder RB Dallon Muse contributed 150 yards on 16 carries and Jarrell Davis gained 75 yards in limited action.

Early on, it looked as if Atwater would run right over Buhach Colony as easily as they had Golden Valley the week before.  The Falcons opened up the scoring when QB Nathan Sanchez broke a 50 yard touchdown run and added to the lead with Sanchez's 70 yard touchdown pass to Andrew Morgan.  Atwater lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and looked poised to add to their lead early in the second.

Buhach Colony, however, got their running game going in the second quarter as Corey Chapman scored twice, and the Buhach defense made a couple of critical stops.  At the half, Atwater held a slight 14-12 advantage, but the momentum had de cidedly turned against them.

The third quarter was a see-saw battle between two teams hungry for both a critical league victory and town bragging rights.  Atwater put together a brilliant drive to start the second half that was finished off with a one yard QB sneak, Sanchez's second touchdown run of the night.  However, Buhach Colony's Corey Chapman answered right back with an 80 yard touchdown run and Dallon Muse added the two point conversion.  Atwater answered a few minutes later with a ten yard touchdown pass from Sanchez to Armando Garcia to take the eight point lead, but Buhach Colony used the same Chapman TD/Muse 2 pt conversion combination to tie the score at 28 entering the fourth quarter.

With the game on the line, in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 28 and both teams having a ton of success offensively, everybody knew that this game would go to the team who's defense could step it up and make the big stop.  That team would be Buhach Colony.  Although, he entered the game as the league most proficient quarterback, Nathan Sanchez did not get too many chances to show his stuff in this game, a fact that baffled the entire crowd at last friday's game.  Sanchez attempted just six passes in the entire game!  While it is easy to justify this strange fact by considering that Atwater's offense was so successful in running the football for most of the game, that still does not answer the question as to why Sanchez was not given the opportunity to win this football game with his arm.  In the fourth quarter Buhach's defense dug in and slowed down the Atwater running game.  Still, the Sanchez to Giovanni Dalmaso combination that has been so huge all season was never called during crunch time, and the Atwater offense went stagnant and failed to score a fourth quarter point.  Buhach Colony, on the other hand, stuck to what they do best, feeding the ball to Corey Chapman and Dallon Muse to finish out a game.  The winning touchdown came on an eight yard Chapman run, and Buhach Colony got themselves right back into the thick of the Central California League title hunt.  Now they will likely have to depend on this same Atwater team that they defeated to get their act together and knock off the Pitman Pride.

Next week, Buhach Colony will have another tough test as they face a rejuvenated (1-4)Merced team at home...Atwater will try to rebound against Hiram Johnson of Sacramento (0-5)


-Justin Cruise



 

IS BUHACH COLONY THE REAL DEAL?
 

Sept. 19, 2009

The Buhach Colony Thunder are 3-0 after pulverizing the visiting Beyer Patriots 67-38.  Buhach's potent fly offense entered the game averaging 323.5 rushing yards per game thanks to a dominant group of offensive linemen, a super-talented trio of running backs, and Coach Kevin Swartwood's genious offensive scheme.  Swartwood's fly offense maximizes the athletic abilities of his superstars and gets them all on the field with equal opportunities to make big plays.

Buhach Colony's running game was certainly very good in weeks one and two, but they took things to a whole new level in week three.  The Thunder scored on their first four of possessions of the game, opening up a 25-14 lead over a bewildered Beyer defense.

Things didn't change for the Patriot defense in the second half either, as Buhach Colony put in another six touchdowns, bringing the total to a mind-blowing ten touchdowns on the day.  Buhach running back Corey Chapman rushed for 316 yards and scored on big runs of 40, 35, and 55 yards, respectively.  Teammate Dallon Muse scored touchdowns from 8, 50, and 65 yards out, and Jarell Davis carried the ball 13 times for 87 yards and scored another four touchdowns.  As a unit, the Buhach Colony offense amassed 602 total rushing yards and scored ten touchdowns, all of them coming on the ground.

Although Beyer's defense had absolutely no answer for the Thunder's fly offense, Patriot Quarterback Justin Usiak had another very good game.  After throwing for 352 yards in Beyer's 41-35 win over East Union a week ago, Usiak was leading the entire section in passing yards.  Buhach's defense didn't allow quite so many passing yards, but Usiak still eclipsed the 200 yard mark and threw two touchdown passes to Kaden Cline and a third to running back Kyle Crawford, who also ran for two touchdowns.

Buhach Colony is starting to look like the team to beat in the Central California League.  Golden Valley's defense was exposed a bit in a 28-42 loss to Jesuit of Sacramento, as was Los Banos' defense a week ago against Tracy.  Both of these teams will have a difficult time stopping the Buhach ground game.  Atwater may be the toughest team in the league, rebounding from a tough loss against state powerhouse Bullard a week ago with a 49-14 blowout of Johansen, a playoff team a year ago.

We will learn exactly how good this Buhach Colony team is next week when they face the Escalon Cougars.  Escalon is also undefeated, and showcases a defense that held their week one opponent to just 60 total yards of offense in a shutout.  If any team can stop the Thunder's devastating ground game, the Cougars are that team.  Get ready for a blood bath next week in Escalon.

NAPA REBOUNDS IN MERCED
 

September 20, 2009

This was supposed to be a monster early-season matchup between division one powerhouses. It was supposed to be a preview of two playoff-bound football teams going at it in mid-September. This game was supposed to be a lot of things, but after both teams fell in week one, it was just another game for the Indians and the Bears.

Napa was shocked at home by a hungry Vista del Lago team to start the season, 28-20. Their offense was far from impressive, though it did manage to gain just over 200 yards on the ground. The defense had no answer for Vista running back Trey Hairabedian, who rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Although the total yardage gained by the teams was almost even, Vista del Lago simply made more big plays than did Napa. All in all it was a heart-breaking loss for the Indians, would have become quite unaccustomed to losing in recent years.

Merced, on the other hand, was totally and completely embarassed in their season opener by a vicious, hard-hitting Bullard team. Merced, a 10-2 playoff team a year ago, was shut down offensively, gaining just 25 yards on the ground and 105 yards total. They also allowed over 500 yards of offense en route to a 41-0 shutout drubbing.

Both teams desperately needed to rebound from their disappointing openers with a big win. Unfortunately for the Bears, Napa seemed to take their loss just a little bit harder.

The Indians wasted little time in showing that they were the hungrier and more talented team. On the strength of a diverse running game and an infrequent yet efficient passing game, the Napa Indians scored 36 first half points. The first quarter saw two well sustained drives finished with one yard touchdown runs by Sebastian Sawyer and Cody Jensen, respectively.

The second quarter, on the other hand, was all about the big plays. After a Merced touchdown, Napa quarterback slash kick returner Charles Boyett took the ensuing kickoff back for an 87 yard touchdown. On their next possession, Cody Jensen broke an 80 run and extended the Indians lead to 22 points. Finally, Napa reached into their bag of tricks to end the half and found success when running back Sebastian Sawyer hit C.J. Cunningham from 27 yards out.
Merced would control the ball for most of the second half with a steady and effective running game. Junior speedster Eric Deanda scored his second and third touchdowns of the game in the second half and finished with 124 yards on sixteen carries. Teammate Andrew Mendoza added another 128 yards on fourteen carries. Despite their success in on the ground, the Merced Bears dug themselves into too big a hole early and had no chance of gaining ground on a Napa team that they simply could not stop.

The Indians finished with a total of 451 yards with 305 of those coming on the ground. They only attempted five passes on the night, but two of them went for touchdowns and two others for big gains. Although they are a heavy running team, Boyett and the Indians showed that they have they ability to pass when they need to, which is always important late in the season and into the playoffs, when talented defenses may be able to shut down one aspect of an offense but not necessarily both.

Napa (1-1) plays at home against Vallejo (1-1) next friday while Merced (0-2) will look to get their first win of the season at home against an undefeated Edison (2-0) team from Fresno.