It may have been freshman football on Thursday, but the crosstown tilt between visiting River Islands and Lathrop was an instant classic with the game going down to the wire.

With 3 minutes, 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter, J.D. Dizon pulled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Idrees ElFarra to give the Riptide a one-point lead in its first-ever game. Jonah Hernandez answered for the Spartans with just 14 seconds remaining on a 1-yard touchdown plunge for the final score of 25-20, giving the Spartans the thrilling win in the inaugural Battle of the Bridge at Bennie Gatto Field.

Hernandez was the workhorse for Lathrop, grinding out 228 yards on 35 carries with a pair of 1-yard scoring runs and one from 8 yards out. Gabe Esquada added the other Spartans touchdown on a 1-yard dive.

Hernandez was a standout on defense as well, making seven tackles and an interception. Beau Grisham added six tackles and Kai Santos five.

ElFarra (7 of 11 passing, 175 yards, three touchdowns, interception; 26 yards rushing) added two more touchdown passes, both going to Jordan Acaya from 18 and 51 yards out. Euan Costales pulled in two catches for 56 yards.

Alex Henry III led the River Islands defense with 16 tackles. Isaiah Sanchez added nne tackles and Michael Figueroa six.

Manteca 14, St. Mary’s 0

The Buffaloes made it three shutouts in a row in the blanking of the Rams.

Manteca’s Daryl Carpenter hit Luca Ruiz with a 7-yard touchdown pass, Josiah Martinez scored on a 5-yard run and Christian Jiminez notched a safety. David Grisham gained 139 yards on 22 carries.

Jeremiah Orona led the Buffaloes with six tackles. Jiminez, Abel Garcia and Lucas Ruiz added five stops apiece.