Lathrop is heading to the semifinal round for the first time after taking out one of the most decorated small-school programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Pablo Pena and Chris Ramos each scored two touchdowns and set season-high marks for rushing yards, while the defense came up with three interceptions in the No. 3 Spartans’ 35-14 conquest of seven-time section champion Hilmar in a Division V quarterfinal Friday at Bennie Gatto Field.

All scoring was done in what was a dominant first half for Lathrop (10-1), which led 27-0 halfway through the second quarter. The sixth-seeded Yellowjackets (5-7) got their touchdowns on big plays, including a pick-six at the end of the half.

“I think this sets the standard for Lathrop and what we should be doing,” Pena said. “It kind of boosted us, because they’re also a great team and they have been here. Hopefully, it’s a statement that shows what Lathrop can do.”

The 6-foot, 215-pound junior showed what he can do with his 21 carries and 186 yards. He also scored on two conversion runs. Pena even showed surprising burst on a fourth-and-3 conversion in which he sprinted 53 yards uncontested to the end zone. The Spartans led 13-0 following the missed extra-point kick with 7:17 left in the first quarter.

“On fourth-and-3, honestly, just looking to get the first down,” Pena said. “But then the (offensive) line opened up that hole. It was perfect, so I just took off. It was unreal.”

Lathrop converted four fourth downs in the first half. Pena did it again midway through the second quarter on his 4-yard touchdown. On that same drive, Ramos rambled 29 yards on fourth-and-6.

Ramos also had 21 carries, finishing with 129 yards. Perhaps his biggest play was on special teams, however.

Hilmar had just scored on standout running back Caden Bailey’s 64-yard scamper on fourth-and-1 with 4:10 remaining in the second period. That so happened to be the Yellowjackets’ first first-down conversion of the game, and they had just 8 yards of offense before Bailey’s breakthrough.

Lathrop recaptured momentum thanks to Ramos’ 60-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, which was highlighted by a hellacious hit from Sean Teu.

“I mean, it really opened up because Sean Teu had a huge block,” Ramos said. “The guy ended up getting hurt and prayers to him; I hope he’s good. Sean really opened up that hole, and Casyn (Hopping) also hit one, and it was just there.”

Teu was rewarded moments later with his first carry of the game, which went for a 27-yard touchdown.

The Spartans had a chance to take their comfortable lead into halftime but gave Hilmar some life on the final play, as Nathan Ayala intercepted a pass from Jordan Blase (1-of-5, 7 yards) and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.

Both teams struggled to establish their passing games, combining to go 0-for-8 and three interceptions in the first half.

“I got to own some of it,” Lathrop coach Ryan Teicheira said of the pick-six. “I made the wrong formational call and put (Blase) in a bad situation. He was trying to make a play, but that’s on me. We tried to throw a little bit to get (Hilmar’s defense) out of the box and switch things up, but that’s football.”

Hilmar wound up throwing an interception on its first play from scrimmage. It was a halfback pass from Bailey, who was picked off by Trey Miller.

Hilmar quarterback Merek Ellerd (3-of-11, 14 yards; 32 rushing yards) had two passes each intercepted by Andrew Chunn and Eliseo Lopez. The Yellowjackets looked to establish the pass on their first series of the second half. Ellerd’s first completion, which went for a big gain, was negated by a holding penalty. Two plays later, he was picked off by Lopez.

The second half was a defensive stalemate from there, as Lathrop had three drives stall out in the red zone.

The Spartans had nine different ball carriers who combined for 352 yards. Hilmar was limited to 154 yards total, most of it coming from Bailey (15 rushes, 99 yards).

“Coach (Justin) Muschott has done a great job scheming-wise and getting them ready,” Teicheira said, giving a nod to his defensive coordinator and assistants. “The defense has been our anchor. That’s our strength. They make great stops and cause turnovers. That’s been the key; the defense is stepping up for us.”

Lathrop has another opportunity to make history next Friday, Nov. 22 when it travels to second-seeded Sutter (10-1), another tradition-rich team that dominated in the Northern Section before joining the SJS two years ago. The Huskies hammered No. 7 Oakmont 47-7 in its quarterfinal.