Chico hasn't had much luck against Pleasant Valley recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Panthers will face off against the Vikings at 7:00 p.m. Chico will come into the matchup with an undefeated record on the line.
Chico is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They claimed a resounding 52-7 victory over Enterprise. The contest was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 28-0.
Shamar Riley had a dynamite game, rushing for 79 yards and one TD, while also picking up 49 receiving yards and one touchdown. He was no stranger to the big play, taking off on a dash that went for 51 yards. Brave Curcio was in the mix as well, providing Chico with two scores.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Chico was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 255 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 251 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.
Chico didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Emilio Vierra.
Meanwhile, Pleasant Valley earned a 24-12 win over Red Bluff on Friday.
Chico better keep an eye on Titus Andrus. He was instrumental in Pleasant Valley's win, rushing for 190 yards and one TD on only 15 carries. Andrus is becoming a predictor of the Vikings' success: when he posts at least 100 rushing yards the team is undefeated (and 0-3 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Jay Mojica, who rushed for 62 yards and one touchdown on only eight carries.
Pleasant Valley's defense made their presence known, laying out Ashden Wehbey three times. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Owen Lee, Tylend Broadway, and Charles Fox, who each picked up one sack apiece.
Chico's record now sits at 6-0. As for Pleasant Valley, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Chico has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 276.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Pleasant Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 186.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Chico came up short against Pleasant Valley in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, falling 20-7. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
