Pablo Pena scored four touchdowns last Thursday to lead Lathrop’s freshman football team to a resounding 37-6 Western Athletic Conference victory over visiting Los Banos.
The win clinched the first league championship in the Spartans’ program history.
“I am very happy with the players this season,” Spartans coach Jeremy Towner said. “We have worked hard since day one to fight for a league title and we had a rough beginning with a very tough non-league schedule with St. Mary’s and Tracy where we competed, but never folded. We Fought through adversity stayed bonded as a family and fought for this league title.
“We got better every week and it showed. I have to take my hat off to the offensive line and Coach Elliot as well. They have paved a way week after week giving Trey Santos and Pablo Pena 100-plus yard rushing games. This offense needs a great line to be successful and we had just that. It has been a great season and I am happy we are the WAC league champions. These boys earned it.”
Pena and Santos each tallied another 100-plus yard game, with Pena gaining 106 yards on 11 carries with touchdown runs of 2, 10 and 40 yards and he made a 10-yard touchdown reception from Landon Nolte (2 for 2 passing, 50 yards). Santos tallied 150 yards on 10 carries.
Santos returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown. Eric Lucatero made five stops for Lathrop and Arlee Wesley three. Malikai Gonzalez and Malikai Dunn contributed to the Lathrop defense.
East Union 44, Sierra 13
Kirk Simoni threw for four first-half touchdowns with J.P. Abrew pulling in two of them to help the Lancers take a 36-7 halftime lead.
Anthony Oteri added the final points of the first half for East Union when he returned an interception for a touchdown on the last play of the second quarter.
Shane Lewis added a touchdown for the Lancers in the second half.