ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – Over the past decade the Pierce and Durham football teams have met 12 times with the Trojans winning nine of those matchups.
However, last Friday night at Gregg LeMaster Field the Bears got a Halloween treat as they shutout the team that has over the years been their nemesis by a score of 24-0 to remain not only unbeaten in the Sacramento Valley League, but on the season as well.
It was a well-played first half for Pierce as it ended each of its four possessions with points, while on the other side of the ball the defense did its job by containing the Trojans.
Nate Macintosh got the ball rolling for the Bears when after picking his way through the line, he cut to the outside for a 64-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the game.
On its ensuing possession, Pierce put together an 11-play drive that culminated with Austin Jorge lowering his shoulder and bulling his way into the end zone for the Bears’ second score of the first quarter.
Moving into the second period, Pierce got a 25-yard field goal from Francisco Ruiz to make the score 17-0, then with just 14 seconds left on the clock got its final points of the game when Jorge connected with receiver Devin Garcia in the end zone.
Garcia’s catch was particularly impressive in the way he went up and corralled the ball against tight coverage in the corner of the end zone.
Yet, coming out after intermission, the Bears couldn’t find the same offensive rhythm, something that is a bit concerning to Coach Anthony Tapia as he looked towards tonight’s showdown with Winters and potential matchups in the playoffs.
“I’m happy with the shutout and the win,” Tapia said. “But although we had a great start again, we are trying to put together all four quarters. We need to limit our mistakes in order to give ourselves a chance in the playoffs.”
For the defense, which pitched its fourth shutout of the year, Aaron Velazquez blocked a punt which was recovered by Quin Stephens and Jonathan Vazquez picked off a pass.
Rodrigo Velazquez registered a team-high eight tackles, including three for losses, while Colin Dye and Robert Nesbitt, Jr. finished with six tackles apiece.
Meanwhile, top performers for the offense included Macintosh who rushed for 103 yards on nine carries along with Jorge, who completed eight passes for 80 yards in addition to running for 35 more.
Rounding out SVL play this evening, the Bears (9-0, 5-0) look to win the conference title for the first time since 2017, when they take on a Winters team whose only defeat came in a one-point loss to Gridley back on September 12.