Lathrop’s football team kicked off the Western Athletic Conference schedule with a big win over one of its chief challengers for the title Friday at Bennie Gatto Field.

Fullback Pablo Pena helped put it away with a 1-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, as the Spartans downed Pacheco, 28-18.

Pena finished with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Andre Muqhar added 15 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. Sean Teu got Lathrop (1-0 WAC, 3-1 overall) on the board with a 4-yard run with 10:50 left in the second quarter.

The Spartans scored 21 unanswered points in the second period and carried a 21-11 lead into halftime.

Lathrop’s defense held Pacheco (0-1, 2-2) to 140 yards of offense, 14 on the ground.

Lathrop heads to Grace Davis next Friday, Sept. 24.

Hughson 28, Ripon 7

The Indians (0-1, 1-3 overall) did all they could defensively to stay in the Trans-Valley League game at Stouffer Field, but quarterback Robert McDaniel and Hughson (1-0, 4-0) pulled away late.

McDaniel hit Malaki Sumter with a 32-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to give the Huskies a 21-7 lead, and running back Eli Wilbanks scored his second TD late to seal the win.

Nathan Curless scampered 15 yards for Ripon’s lone touchdown with 8:59 left, closing the Indians in, 14-7.

Big Valley Christian 52, River Islands 8

The Riptide (0-1 Mother Lode League, 1-3 overall) took an early 8-7 lead in its first-ever home game but could not keep up from there.

Quarterback Michael Figueroa completed a 12-yard pass to Idrees ElFarra for the touchdown. The same duo linked up for the two-point conversion.

FLAG FOOTBALL

East Union 20, Sierra 18

The Lancers (3-1, 9-3 overall) evened the Valley Oak League series Thursday at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium, as quarterback Julianna Gaspar vaulted them into the lead for good with a late 7-yard scamper.

The sophomore finished with 203 yards passing, two touchdowns and an interception. She also had 58 rushing yards.

Caliyah Lopez compiled six receptions for 88 yards, added 26 rushing yards and a TD on three attempts, contributed two pass deflections and an interception.

Ava Barrera led the defense with six tackles and two pass breakups. Kaylee Mejia scored a touchdown on a 12-yard reception and had three tackles and a deflection on defense. Gwen Baker pulled five flags and caught three passes for 42 yards.

Tessa Zalunardo completed seven of nine passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 42 yards for Sierra (3-1, 10-5). Maitland Kohoutek threw for 145 yards and a TD.

Janessa Barnes racked up 73 receiving yards. Alison Cozby, Priya Dhaliwal and Zoe Sutton each caught a TD pass. Taylor Zalunardo anchored the Timberwolves’ defense with eight tackles and two pass deflections. Katie Machado had an interception.

GIRLS TENNIS

Sierra 5, Central Catholic 4

In Modesto, No. 2 singles player Mikayla Villalobos (6-3, 6-4) and No. 6 Melissa Castillo (7-5, 6-2) picked up key wins for Sierra on Thursday.

The Timberwolves won all three doubles matches. The top tandem of Sadie Herrera and Janessa Felix swept, 6-1, 6-1.