Large-school football roundup: Maria Carrillo allows big lead to get away in 51-28 loss

Benicia overcame a 21-3 deficit and wound up defeating host Maria Carrillo, 51-28, in a nonleague game Friday night.

Cole Martin almost single-handedly carried the Pumas in the first half. He scored on a 70-yard punt return and followed that up with a 99-yard kickoff run for a touchdown.

After giving up 28 points going into intermission, Benicia made defensive changes and didn’t allow a point in the second half.

“They finished strong and we finished poorly,” Carrillo coach Jay Higgins said. “We didn’t sustain drives and made some silly mistakes.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the film to discern the reasons that happened.”

Quarterback Jake Wolski threw a pair of scoring passes for the Pumas. The first was 22 yards to Wes Picard and then he connected for 47 yards with Fhestus Chomba.

CLAYTON VALLEY 28, CARDINAL NEWMAN 0

At Concord, the visiting Cardinals were shutout for the first time in five years.

The last time it happened was Sept. 17, 2010, when Valley Christian defeated Newman, 34-0.

The Cardinals came close to getting on the scoreboard against Clayton Valley. They had the ball on the 3-yard line in the final minute, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the drive.

After failing to score in the first quarter, the home team scored two touchdowns in the second. The Ugly Eagles also scored in the third and fourth quarters.

The home team made it 21-0 with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Newman was playing without first-string quarterback Jordon Brookshire. He missed the game because of concussion symptoms.

Gavin Dove took over and completed 11-of-28 passes for 142 yards. He was intercepted once. The junior picked up 62 of those yards in the first half.

Cody Baker was his favorite receiver as the two connected seven times for 82 yards.

Clayton Valley (2-1) put the clamps on the Cardinals’ running game. Ian McMullen was the top rusher but with only 39 yards on seven carries.

Newman (1-2) has a bye next week and opens North Bay League play on Sept. 25 at Santa Rosa High.

MIRAMONTE 40, WINDSOR 3

At Windsor, the home team opened the scoring with a field goal and then the Matadors reeled off the next 40 points.

Dalton Mullins got the Jaguars on the scoreboard with a 40-yard field goal but the lead didn’t last long as the Matadors raced to three touchdowns before the first quarter ended.

Both schools came into the game with 2-0 records.

“They’re definitely a very good team,” Windsor coach Tom Kirkpatrick said. “They’re one of the best teams that I’ve seen in quite some time, especially at skill positions.

“Their defense did a few things that surprised us. We didn’t play well at all.”

Windsor quarterback Max Brown, who threw for three touchdowns last Friday against Northgate, was held to 38 yards. He completed 5-of-15 passes.

Jackson Baughman was the Jaguars’ top runner with 94 yards on 17 carries. David Escarcega had 54 on nine touches and Chris Licea wound up with 32 on seven rushes.

Miramonte was led by quarterback Tim Tague. He threw for three touchdowns, two of those in the first half.

FRANKLIN 35, CASA GRANDE 7

At Elk Grove, the Gauchos led 7-6 at halftime before the home team rallied for the victory

Andrew Floerke scored the Casa touchdown on a 1-yard run.

“We played well in the first half,” Casa coach Trent Herzog said. “Then, we just got worn out.”

Herzog estimated it was around 100 degrees at kickoff.

The Gauchos were missing six starters on offense and five on defense.

“We dressed 26 healthy guys,” Herzog said. “It seemed like Franklin had three times that many players.

“Franklin has athletes galore. We couldn’t stay with them in the second half.”

For the Gauchos, quarterback JJ Anderson completed 12-of-26 passes for 128 yards. Nick Petri caught five of those passes for 78 yards.

Spencer Torkelson was the leading rusher with 52 yards on 10 carries.

On defense, middle linebacker made eight tackles, including two for losses. He had two sacks. Petri also had eight tackles and Torkelson finished with seven.

“We have a bye next week and it’s coming at a great time,” Herzog said. “We’ll get healthy and be ready for league play.”