Published Sep 5, 2026 5:30 am
Sonora Wildcats beat Pachenco in high school football—Photo by Zeb Drivdahl
Written by: Zeb Drivdahl
Sonora, CA—The Wildcats notched their first entry in the win column for the season with a convincing 49-8 win over the visiting Pacheco Panthers.
Sonora received the opening kickoff and needed only two plays to find the end zone, a 50+ yard run on an option pitch by George Renault. The next three Wildcat drives all found the end zone, with Renault, Jeremy Snyder, and Jack Wilson all notching touchdowns. The Sonora defense, meanwhile, smothered the Panthers offense, allowing only two first downs the entire first half, one of those on a pass interference penalty. With the score 35-0 at the half, the Wildcats rested their starters for the second half, handing the reins to their depth players. Shane Solus and Colton Gibson got second-half touchdowns, while Bennet Read recorded an interception late to ice the game.
Sonora improved to 1-1 in the season. The Foust Heating and Air Hot Hit of the game was delivered by Jayden Howell and Jack Wilson won Chicken Ranch Casino Player of the Game honors for his two touchdown performances. The Wildcats hit the road next week to play the Woodcreek Timberwolves, a rematch of last year’s CIF Division 2A semifinal game.
In other action on the gridiron, Calaveras beat Balboa 49-8, and the Summerville Bears had the night off.
The Sonora Wildcats games air live on KVML 1450AM/102.7 FM, with Nick Stuart and Zeb Drivdahl. The Summerville Bears can be heard on 93.5 KKBN with Danny Scott and Noel Rathmel as your hosts for all the action and the Bret Harte Bullfrogs will be on Star 92.7 FM with Jeremy Hurtado.
Live Video and archives of football games will be on myMotherLode.tv, information about the season is on the High School Sports Page here or download the myMotherLode App now for Andriod or Apple devices.