MODESTO — A 40‑foot American flag suspended above the west end zone set the tone for a night of remembrance Friday as Big Valley Christian hosted Gustine in a game preceded by a ceremony honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and the first responders who continue to serve today.
Before kickoff, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office presented the colors, followed by a processional featuring local EMS vehicles and the sheriff’s mounted unit. With Modesto City Fire’s hook‑and‑ladder raising the massive flag overhead, the tribute framed the start of a meaningful evening.
Once play began, Big Valley Christian’s offense took control early and never let go, handing the Reds a 56–20 loss.
The Lions opened the first quarter with a 50‑yard touchdown run, then added another from the same distance after a Gustine turnover on downs to go up 14–0. Gustine’s defense tightened late in the quarter, pinning the Lions at their own 5 after a mishandled punt return.
Big Valley Christian extended the lead to 20–0 early in the second quarter before Gustine blocked the extra point. The Lions added another touchdown and two‑point conversion to make it 28–0. Gustine responded with its first score of the night, a 5‑yard run by Juan Aguilera (#6), followed by a two‑point conversion caught by Crue Correa (#7) to cut the deficit to 28–8. A deep Lions touchdown pass before halftime pushed the margin to 35–8.
Gustine surged in the third quarter. Leonardo Jimenez (#44) powered in a 1‑yard touchdown, and after a defensive stop, Correa hauled in a 70‑yard touchdown pass to bring the Reds within 35–20. Big Valley Christian answered late in the quarter to move ahead 42–20.
Special‑teams miscues proved costly in the fourth. A turnover on downs led to a Lions touchdown, and Big Valley Christian recovered an untouched kickoff at the Gustine 35, converting it into another rushing score. A muffed kickoff recovery on the next play set up the Lions’ final possession, and with a running clock, they kneeled out the 56–20 win.
Gustine (0–3) enters a bye week before opening league play on Sept. 25 at Mariposa County against the undefeated Grizzlies (2–0). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
