Entering Friday’s league home opener the Pacheco Panthers knew they had faced some talented teams in the non-league portion of their schedule.
The team’s first three opponents have combined for a 13-1 record to this point in the season. It was not going to get any easier as the defending WAC champion Lathrop Spartans (3-1 overall, 1-0 WAC) traveled to Veterans Stadium.
Not only did the Panthers realize they were taking on the league favorite in their first league game, but they also had the tall task of containing reigning WAC MVP Pablo Pena. The powerful running back would get the Spartans on the board first with a short touchdown run in the first quarter. A missed point after attempt would result in the scoreboard showing 6-0 after one quarter.
Pacheco running back Joseph Valencia has his helmet taken off by a Lathrop defender incurring a face mask penalty.
Pacheco would get on the board early in the second quarter behind the leg of Santiago Rosas (2 FG, 1 PAT). The senior kicker would hit from 38 yards to make the score 6-3 and momentum building on the home sideline.
That surge of belief was quickly shifted on the first play of the ensuing drive when Lathrop scored on a 83-yard swing pass to extend their lead to 14-3. Rosas would add another field goal to make the score 14-6 at halftime.
Pena (25 carries, 125 yards, 2 TD) and Malachi Gonzales would add touchdowns in the third quarter to complete the Spartan scoring. Pacheco would get a touchdown run by Joseph Valencia (13 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD) to round out their scoring. Lathrop won the game 26 to 13.
The Pacheco junior varsity team lost as well with a score of 42 to 13.
The Panthers look for win number one this week traveling to take on the Central Valley Hawks. The Hawks were tough luck losers to Grace Davis in 3 overtimes on Friday, 20-14.
Central Valley’s home games are played at Ceres High School.
