In 1977, Foreigner came out with a hit song called “Feels Like The First Time.”
Fast forward the clock to 2011 and one could say the same thing about the American
Canyon Wolves and Pacheco (Los Banos) Panthers making their varsity high school
debuts. I don’t remember the contest because it was so memorable as American Canyon
dominated the proceedings 49-18. I remember it mainly because of the double varsity
debut factor. If this game was played in Week 2, I probably would not remember so
readily. Both schools were also similar in that they opened in 2010-2011 with grades
9 and 10. Grade 11 was added in 2011-2012 and all four grades were in play in 2012-2013.
Canyon Wolves and Pacheco (Los Banos) Panthers making their varsity high school
debuts. I don’t remember the contest because it was so memorable as American Canyon
dominated the proceedings 49-18. I remember it mainly because of the double varsity
debut factor. If this game was played in Week 2, I probably would not remember so
readily. Both schools were also similar in that they opened in 2010-2011 with grades
9 and 10. Grade 11 was added in 2011-2012 and all four grades were in play in 2012-2013.
The narrative was also similar in that Napa and Vintage, two public high schools North
of American Canyon were bursting at the seams, which built the demand to build
American Canyon High. Thanks to Measure G passing in 2006, the road was paved.
of American Canyon were bursting at the seams, which built the demand to build
American Canyon High. Thanks to Measure G passing in 2006, the road was paved.
Los Banos, like many Central Valley communities, saw an influx of Bay Area relocation.
As a result, these towns that normally could accommodate one high school could no long
do so.
As a result, these towns that normally could accommodate one high school could no long
do so.
On a Napa Valley local level, there was American Canyon head coach Ian MacMillan.
He had labored in the vines as a JV head coach at Justin-Siena, varsity head coach at
St. Helena and assistant coach at Napa High. The Wolves were his show now and were
until 2013, when he resigned.
He had labored in the vines as a JV head coach at Justin-Siena, varsity head coach at
St. Helena and assistant coach at Napa High. The Wolves were his show now and were
until 2013, when he resigned.
The two teams met in the JV debut one season earlier at American Canyon with the
Wolves winning that game 32-21. The tale of that game was American Canyon winning
the takeaway battle 4-1.
Wolves winning that game 32-21. The tale of that game was American Canyon winning
the takeaway battle 4-1.
Trips to the Central Valley are different in that physical geography suggests you are in
California but the landscape is strikingly similar to Mid-American states like Kansas,
Nebraska or Iowa. The weather can be similar as well. On this day, temperatures
approached triple digits during the day and remained sultry into the night.
California but the landscape is strikingly similar to Mid-American states like Kansas,
Nebraska or Iowa. The weather can be similar as well. On this day, temperatures
approached triple digits during the day and remained sultry into the night.
The margin of victory could have been much bigger, as the Wolves had three touchdowns
nullified by penalty. The only Pacheco offensive score came with 3.2 seconds left in the
game against American Canyon backups.
nullified by penalty. The only Pacheco offensive score came with 3.2 seconds left in the
game against American Canyon backups.
The Wolves outgained the Panthers 470-159 in offensive yardage. Throughout the night,
Pacheco had no answer for the American Canyon three-headed monster of Robert Wilkes
(151 on seven carries), Justin Corpus (114 on 12 carries) and Charles Spencer (107 on
seven carries).
Pacheco had no answer for the American Canyon three-headed monster of Robert Wilkes
(151 on seven carries), Justin Corpus (114 on 12 carries) and Charles Spencer (107 on
seven carries).
Behind the starting offensive line of Bailey Gardner, Jeremiah Johnson, Yacoub
Hammoudeh, Riley Williams, Jonathan Bade and tight end Ike Pittman, the Wolves gained
456 yards on the ground.
Hammoudeh, Riley Williams, Jonathan Bade and tight end Ike Pittman, the Wolves gained
456 yards on the ground.
Wilkes scored touchdowns from 21, 29 and 88 yards. Corpus scored from 25 and 66 yards
away. Jomon Dotson had a 73-yard kickoff return to paydirt and a 10-yard scoring run.
Michael Rapacon had seven PATs.
away. Jomon Dotson had a 73-yard kickoff return to paydirt and a 10-yard scoring run.
Michael Rapacon had seven PATs.
For the Panthers, Paul Parks had a 77-yard kickoff return for a score and a 3-yard scoring
run. Michael Dumaghen added a 26-yard fumble recovery for a score.
run. Michael Dumaghen added a 26-yard fumble recovery for a score.
Defensively, the Wolves did not yield a first down until 7:01 remained in the second
quarter. Jonathan Bade had three sacks while Spencer had one. Bade added a fumble
recovery. Seisay and Dotson each had interceptions.
quarter. Jonathan Bade had three sacks while Spencer had one. Bade added a fumble
recovery. Seisay and Dotson each had interceptions.
The biggest thing I remember about this contest was the incredible speed advantage that
the Wolves had not only that night but have had for much of their existence.
the Wolves had not only that night but have had for much of their existence.
List of firsts: Part of the beauty of covering a team making its debut is noting the list of
firsts. The first offensive play in varsity history was a 40-yard run by Spencer, while Wilkes
scored the first touchdown with 10:54 left in the first quarter from 21 yards away.
firsts. The first offensive play in varsity history was a 40-yard run by Spencer, while Wilkes
scored the first touchdown with 10:54 left in the first quarter from 21 yards away.
Chris Seisay recorded the first interception in school history. Bade posted the first fumble
recovery. The first pass completion was a 12-yard Corpus to Seisay connection.
recovery. The first pass completion was a 12-yard Corpus to Seisay connection.
The short resume: The two teams have not played each other since that contest and are not
likely to meet in the foreseeable future. American Canyon is moving from the CIF Sac
Joaquin Section to North Coast Section where trips heading East on Interstate 80 are going
to be far less frequent.
likely to meet in the foreseeable future. American Canyon is moving from the CIF Sac
Joaquin Section to North Coast Section where trips heading East on Interstate 80 are going
to be far less frequent.
Both programs have put together good resumes with the biggest difference being Pacheco’s
has been more of a work in progress. American Canyon has a seven-year mark of 55-26 and
won six straight Solano County Athletic Conference titles, either shared or sole possession.
The Wolves have won six playoff games. The only season American Canyon did not make
the postseason was 2011 when it went 4-6. The Wolves will compete in the Vine Valley
Athletic League beginning in 2018.
has been more of a work in progress. American Canyon has a seven-year mark of 55-26 and
won six straight Solano County Athletic Conference titles, either shared or sole possession.
The Wolves have won six playoff games. The only season American Canyon did not make
the postseason was 2011 when it went 4-6. The Wolves will compete in the Vine Valley
Athletic League beginning in 2018.
The Panthers have a seven-year record 43-33 in the Western League, none of which finished
in a league crown. Pacheco has qualified for the postseason five times with one victory. The
Panthers went 7-14 their first two seasons, 36-19 thereafter.
in a league crown. Pacheco has qualified for the postseason five times with one victory. The
Panthers went 7-14 their first two seasons, 36-19 thereafter.
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