Friday Night Stars: Monte Vista’s Rutchena, Amador Valley’s Hunter shine in Week 1
It’s already late August and the high school football season is upon us.
Thursday night marked the beginning of Week 1, but Friday night was when the action really started up.
Check out all the scores for Friday night’s games on our score tracker.
Below are the big-time performers from Friday night’s action. If you know of a player who was a star this Friday night, let us know by emailing sports@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Eric Hunter III, Amador Valley
@AVHSFootball16 @eric_hunter3 Look at Eric Hunter III a punt return for a TD pic.twitter.com/oTmdH4mnHt
— Judy Hunter (@JudyHun70089177) August 24, 2019
The diminutive Hunter, a junior, busted a kickoff return for a 95-yard touchdown and snatched two interceptions — all in the first half against Antioch. Amador Valley went on to win 30-22.
Nate Rutchena, Monte Vista
Rutchena caught three touchdowns for the sixth-ranked Mustangs, including the game winner with less than two minutes to go. Then the three-star recruit sealed it with an interception to give Monte Vista the 27-22 win over Granite Bay.
In total, the two-way senior finished with 10 catches for 128 yards.
4Q (1:32 left): Monte Vista 27, Granite Bay 22 … @nate_rutchena catches 2-yd fade to reclaim lead, his 3rd TD from QB @jackstew8 | @DarrenSabedra @JensenPhil @leftwich @CurtisPashelka @schwab_matt @BayAreaPrepsHQ pic.twitter.com/3Oczk3xBvp
— Vytas Mazeika (@VytasMazeika) August 24, 2019
Jerry Johnson, Pittsburg
Johnson aired it out Friday night, hitting St. Mary’s of Stockton up for six touchdowns. That tied a Pittsburg school record and helped the No. 9 Pirates start their season with a big 42-35 win on the road.
Q4: Pittsburg gets some room to work with. Jerry Johnson to Jonny Blackmon III. Pirates lead 35-21.
11:20 left pic.twitter.com/UUpghxMnTs
— Jesús Cano ➐ (@Juice_Cano) August 24, 2019
Brenden Bell, Liberty
The Liberty running back racked up 143 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, and he tacked on a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown for good measure in his team’s 49-24 win over Vacaville.
D.J. Bryant, San Leandro
The junior quarterback got off to a slow start Friday but threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 126 yards and one touchdown to lead the Pirates to a 28-20 overtime win over Foothill.
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