The Summerville High School varsity football team continued rolling Friday night in Modesto with a dominant Mother Lode League win at Big Valley Christian.
The Bears (8-1, 4-1 MLL) beat the Lions (5-4, 3-3) by a final score of 47-21 for their third consecutive victory.
Big Valley Christian struck first only 128 seconds into the matchup. Sophomore quarterback Travis Lema connected with senior wide receiver Nicolas Toledo for a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The point after try by senior kicker Noah Castleberry was good to make the score 7-0.
Summerville immediately responded 12 seconds later with a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown by sophomore safety Malakai Lopez. The extra point attempt by junior kicker Bryson Benites was perfect to tie the score at 7 apiece with 9:40 left in the first quarter.
The Bears forced a three-and-out on the next Lions drive as junior safety Orlando Lopez made a big hit to knock the pass incomplete.
Summerville took the advantage and never looked back with a 9-yard touchdown rush up the middle by senior running back Isaac Biggs. Benites converted the PAT to increase the lead to 14-7 with 6:06 remaining in the first period.
For the final time Friday evening, Big Valley Christian tied the contest, doing so with a 27-yard post out pass from Lema to sophomore tight end Titus Beers. Castleberry made the PAT to tie the score at 14 with seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Then the domination began.
Senior wide receiver Colton Cash dashed 18 yards into the end zone. Benites nailed the ensuing kick to make the score 21-14 with 8:38 left in the second period. Malakai Lopez ended the next Lions possession with an interception.
Cash then broke away for a 49-yard rushing touchdown, juking and weaving through every defender in his path. Benites missed the PAT, which hit the right upright. The Bears led 27-14 with 5:28 remaining in the first half.
Summerville’s next score came on defense as junior defensive end Gage Andersen laid down a huge hit to tally a strip sack, which junior safety Jonathan Whitney scooped up and returned 34 yards for the touchdown. Benites redeemed himself with a successful extra point kick, making the score 34-14 with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Whitney recovered another Big Valley Christian fumble. Benites knocked in a 39-yard field goal with 90 seconds remaining in the first half to reach the halftime score of 37-14.
Sophomore safety Malekai Fromm recorded a sack to conclude the Lions first possession of the second half, forcing a turnover on downs. Benites converted a 28-yard field goal with 6:07 left in the penultimate period, making the score 40-14.
Big Valley Christian junior running back Jeremie Jourdan scored a 10-yard rushing touchdown to trim the deficit. Castleberry made the PAT to cut the Bears’ lead to 40-21 with 11:32 remaining in the game, but by then it was far too late.
Summerville junior quarterback Bryce Leveroos rushed into the end zone from 1-yard out for the last touchdown of the night. Benites made the extra point to reach the final score of 47-21 with 7:15 left.
The Bears conclude the regular season at home versus Linden to begin November. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
See Tuesday’s print edition of The Union Democrat for more on Summerville Bears football.