PHS frosh, MHS JVS win Granite Bowl prelude
The Porterville High freshmen football team overcame an early deficit to defeat rival Monache 20-14 Wednesday night at Jacob Rankin Stadium.
Monache opened the scoring when quarterback Devin Rodriguez found Izaiah Rubalcava on a 5 yard touchdown pass. Gryphen Speck ran across the 2 point conversion to give the Marauders an 8-0 lead.
PHS answered when Aeris Acoba scored on a 1 yard TD plunge with just 42 seconds left in the half. The 2 point conversion failed and Monache took an 8-6 lead into the halftime locker room.
After the Panthers fumbled the ball at the Monache 1 yard line on their opening drive of the second half, the PHS defense got a turnover of their own when Damian Verduzco intercepted a pass and returned it 8 yards for a pick 6. The 2 point conversion failed again and PHS took a 12-8 lead they never relinquished.
Acoba added to the lead with another 1 yard TD run with 3:43 left in the game. Oscar Arias ran in thr 2 point conversion to give PHS a 20-8 advantage.
Speck scored from 3 yards out with 42 seconds left in the game to cut the deficit to 20-14 but the Monache pooch kick was recovered by PHS to seal the win.
Acoba led PHS with 164 yards on 26 carries and 2 scores. For Monache Speck had 57 yards on 10 carries and a score.
Rodriguez threw for 71 yards and a score while Arias threw for 70 yards and a score. Jace Desoto had 2 receptions for 72 yards for PHS.
MONACHE JVS 26, PHS 14
The Monache JV team used a strong defensive performance to win the JV game 26-14.
Monache opened the scoring with a 7 yard TD run from D.J. Shimer. The PAT failed and Monache led 6-0.
PHS answered when Solomon Silva went 24 yards around the right side for a touchdown. The PAT was no good and the game was tied at 6.
Monache took the lead right before the half. On a fourth down quarterback Wyatt Mauldin found Sammy Ortega for 33 yards down to the 1 yard line. Snail Franklin punched it in from a yard out and Ortega added the PAT to giver Monache a 13-6 halftime advantage
Monache extended its lead to open the second half as it took the opening kickoff and drove 78 yards, ending with a Franklin 4 yard TD run. Ortega’s PAT was good and the Marauders built a 20-6 advantage.
Shimer extended the lead mwith 6:42 left in the game with a 51 yard TD jaunt. The PAT failed and MHS led 26-6.
The Panthers Ethan Enriquez found Solomon Silva for a 34 yard TD strike with just 8 seconds left in the game. Enriquez 2 point conversion pass to Rubern Cervantes was good to end the scoring.
Shimer had a strong performance for the Marauders as he rushed for 131 yards and 2 scores on only 13 carries.
Enriquez threw for 134 yards and a touchdown for PHS while Silva rushed for 57 yards to lead the ground game.
Monache quarterback Wyatt Maulden threw for 131 yards and rushed for another 62 to help lead the Marauder offense.