Modesto pulls away from Giants in CVC opener

By Nick Giannandrea

COS Athletics

Turnovers and special teams miscues proved too much for College of the Sequoias to overcome during a 44-21 Central Valley Conference-opening football loss to state-ranked Modesto on Oct.19.

The Giants (3-3, 0-1) yielded 14 points off turnovers and 21 points as a result of long kick returns or short punts while dropping their second straight game.

COS fell into a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter when Modesto (5-1, 1-0) cashed in Anderson Grover's 64-yard punt return four plays later into Brett Neves' 5-yard touchdown pass to Payton Bass, and Marquise Higgin returned an interception 24 yards for a score.

The Giants rallied to tie the score 14-14 early in the second quarter as Gus Villareal (Dinuba) connected with Bryson Allen (Tulare Union) on a 30-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 75-yard drive, and Villareal hit Sergio Pena (Selma) for a 15-yard touchdown one play after a Bobby Peele (Edison) interception.

Modesto, which entered ranked No. 6 in the state in the JC Athletic Bureau's Coaches Poll and No. 3 by the California Community College Sports Information Association, pulled ahead for good just before halftime when Danny Velasquez threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Porter eight plays after forcing a fumble that D'Angelo Bellam recovered.

The Pirates pulled away in the third quarter as Carter Williams scored on a 4-yard run three plays after Porter opened the second half with a 47-yard kickoff return, and Lucas Carter scored on a 36-yard run on the play after a 10-yard COS punt.

COS closed to 35-21 with 8:48 remaining in the third quarter as Villareal and Allen hooked up for their second touchdown, a 22-yarder, to cap an eight-play, 71-yard march, but the Giants were limited to 27 yards over four drives the rest of the way.

Modesto received a 24-yard field goal from Parkin Bonin in the third quarter and an 8-yard touchdown run from Velasquez in the fourth for the final margin.

Villareal finished 13 of 26 for 210 yards. Allen caught five passes for 127 yards.

Defensively, Marcos Moran (Panorama City) led the way with seven tackles. Undra Coverson (Macon, Ga.) added six tackles, including two for losses.

Jamari Rouse (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Judah Ruckman (Springville) had sacks, while Armani Denweed (Independence-Bakersfield) had an interception.

COS returns home Oct. 26 for its homecoming game against San Joaquin Delta. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Giant Chevrolet and Cadillac Mineral King Bowl.

The Mustangs (2-4, 0-1) lost their CVC opener 33-20 against Fresno City on Oct. 19.