UPDATED: Yellowjackets end 4-game skid, dominate on homecoming

The Yellowjackets snapped a four-game scoreless streak with a 48-0 homecoming victory Friday against Esparto High in Williams. The game also served as the Mid-Valley League opener for both teams.

"We knew that going into the game it's been 172 points to nothing. We wanted to score points and hopefully shut them out," Williams center Korey Steinke said.

Senior running back Tony Boites carried the ball 20 times for 117 yards and three touchdowns, and added three receptions for 60 yards, as the Yellowjackets (2-4, 1-0 MVL) overpowered the visiting Spartans (0-6, 0-1 MVL).

Senior Rury Duarte started alongside Boites in the backfield because the regular starter, senior Diego Navarro, was limited by an injury.

"(Duarte) stepped up big, it was much needed. If we hold our blocks they've all got the speed back there, they can get the job done," Steinke said.

The Yellowjackets marched 92 yards on the opening drive of the game in just over two minutes, and Duarte finished the drive with 20-yard touchdown run around the right side. Sal Garcia completed a pass to Robert Cazares for the two-point conversion and a quick 8-0 lead.

Duarte, who didn't play football until this season, rushed eight times for 135 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Duarte was a thorn in the Spartans' passing game's side, knocking down three passes.

Junior Sal Garcia got the start at quarterback and completed 6 of 9 passes for 89 yards. Garcia, who started at quarterback on the junior varsity team last season, moved behind center and Freddy Cervantes moved back to running back, where he played last season.

"We made a few adjustments this week putting different people in different positions and it seemed to pay off well for us," Williams coach Dan McDonald said.

Garcia hit Boites in the flat for a 31-yard gain on the first play of the Yellowjackets' second drive before Duarte broke free for 39 yards. Two plays later, Boites bowled his way up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run and Duarte slipped three tackles for the two-point conversion and a 16-0 lead with 4:35 left in the first quarter.

"They worked really hard this week, we cleaned up a lot of miscues that we've had in the past 3-4 weeks," McDonald said.

Boites scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter and Navarro made it 28-0 on a 2-yard run with 2:34 left in the half.

Boites scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and David Camarena ran in the conversion. Enrique Jauregui sprinted around right end and pinballed into the end zone from 20 yards out with about four minutes remaining.

Garcia intercepted a pass and returned it about 30 yards for a touchdown as time expired, giving the Yellowjackets the victory.

Robert Cazares added a first half interception and Camarena recorded a sack for the Williams defense, which held Esparto to 108 total yards.

"We wanted this game more than them, we just wanted it. Homecoming gives us that motivation, and all the people who came out here to support us," Camarena said.

Before the game, Navarro was named the Yellowjackets' homecoming king and joined queen Estephania Aceves at midfield. Despite nursing an injury, Navarro carried the ball four times for 36 yards and a touchdown and played most of the game on defense.

Williams hosts Hamilton (3-3, 1-0 MVL) this Friday. The Braves snapped a two-game losing streak with a 33-21 victory against a winless Quincy team in Hamilton City.

CONTACT Kirk Barron at 458-2121 or kbarron@tcnpress.com.