The Matilda Torres football program is young and still learning, but that hasn’t stopped them from putting together strong performances in a 29-22 win over Hoover-Fresno and a 27-21 over Stone Ridge Christian-Modesto.
But Friday night’s matchup at home against Golden Valley-Bakersfield showed the Toros have work to do as they establish a foundation to their program.
The Toros led early but couldn’t over come penalties and turnovers in a 28-13 loss.
“The second-half effort was very good. I think as they mature and learn how to compete, their effort throughout the game will improve,” Toros head coach Joseph Marquez said. “I think it is hard for me sometimes to remember how young these kids are. I see them battle every week and I think these battle-tested games will pay dividends for us moving forward.”
Toros quarterback Jose Soriano led the way on the ground with of 33 yards while passing for 87 yards, a majority if it coming on a single play in the fourth quarter.
Soriano found Alan Avila for a 67-yard touchdown. Avila broke multiple tackles before outrunning the Golden Valley defense.
The Toros didn’t have many highlights on offense, but the long score was the biggest play on the night.
Josiah Salinas scored on a short touchdown run in the first quarter.
Joseph Bass got the Toros off to a strong start after a tackle on Golden Valley’s Tyjan Jones caused a fumble in the Golden Valley side of the field.
Matilda Torres took over after punting on the first drive.
The Toros only needed two plays to put the ball in the end zone. Salinas opened the scoring with the touchdown, but Golden Valley was eager to get back into the game.
The Toros and the visitors exchanged possessions until the second quarter. Golden Valley put up 21 unanswered points, pushing its lead 21-7.
Matilda Torres fought throughout the first half, but couldn’t find a rhythm.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the offense clicked once again. Soriano dropped back to pass and hit Avila down the middle of the field. Instead of a modest gain, Avila broke multiple tackles before racing down the field over 50 yards to paydirt.
Down 21-13 after failing on the two-point conversion, the Toros later stopped Golden Valley to set up a game-tying drive with three minutes left.
Unfortunately for the Toros, the drive stalled inside their 20-yard line, ending any hopes of tying the game.
Golden Valley tacked on seven more points in the closing moments of the game.