Sonora’s second round exit was surprising and the Division V title game between seventh seed Colfax and fourth seed Capital Christian was unexpected, but the Division III and VI brackets fell almost exactly how they were seeded. Amador and Bradshaw Christian will battle for the Division VI title this week while our Division III bracket has three more games before it crowns a winner.
#4 Capital Christian 33 #1 Sonora 30 [D V]
Favorite and presumed title contender Sonora (11-1) met its end when kicker Keegan Lewis knocked his second field goal of the night through the uprights to send Capital Christian (10-2) to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship to face No. 7 Colfax (9-3).
All year long, teams had no answer for Sonora’s offensive talent, but Cougar quarterback Jacob Norville flipped the script, throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 56 yards on 11 carries. Those two touchdowns were caught by Christian Simmons, one of three Cougars to eclipse 100 total yards.
Sonora’s Josh Harris ran for two 50-yard touchdowns while Kane Rodgers added two more touchdowns and 147 yards on 18 carries, but neither was enough. Tied at 30, Capital Christian had enough time to drive down the field for the game winning field goal.
#2 Bradshaw Christian 34 #3 Argonaut 29 [D VI]
Bradshaw Christian (12-0) outlasted No. 3 Argonaut (8-4) 34-29 to secure their fifth trip to a section title game since 2009. The Pride, winner of 12-straight games, will play Amador (11-1) for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship.
Argonaut led after the first half 21-20 thanks to a missed extra point, but sloppy play derailed their hopes for a section title. A bad snap on a punt in the second half gave the Pride a short field and a quick touchdown when running back Gerrett Robbins scored from 40 yards out.
A fumble by Argonaut on the ensuing kickoff led to a 1-yard score by Wes Lopez and dug a hole the Mustangs couldn’t climb out of.
Argonaut fought without two of its top players: running back Johnny White and receiver Andrew Hernandez. White never suited up due to sickness while Hernandez suffered a neck injury in the second half after scoring three touchdowns in the first half.
#3 Christian Brothers 21 #11 Burbank 14 [D III]
Christian Brothers (10-2) suppressed another Burbank (7-5) upset to advance to the semifinal round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs to face No. 2 American Canyon.
After trailing 14-13 at halftime, Christian Brothers defensive back Jamarri Jackson jump started his offense in the third quarter with an interception that led to the Falcons go-ahead touchdown. Quarterback Tyler Vander Wal utilized quick slants, screens and dump offs before throwing a bomb to receiver Matt Marengo that got the offense to the two yard line. Wal used his big frame and snuck the ball in for the lead.
Their semifinal opponent American Canyon defeated No. 7 Yuba City 39-8.
#5 Merced 42 #4 Del Campo 31[D III]
Eleven weeks ago Del Campo (6-6) opened their season with a close 26-21 victory over Merced (9-3). The Bears got their revenge with a 42-31 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III quarterfinal win. The Bears continue on to top seeded Oakdale next week.
Running back Ulonzo Gilliam was as consistent as ever, rushing for 108 and two touchdowns. He got the scoring started early when he recovered a fumble three plays into the game on defense and returned it for a touchdown.
Quarterback Jacob Foss tossed two touchdown passes for over 60 yards while completing 9-of-17 passes for 250 yards overall. Unlike the first matchup, Merced held a tight grip on the Cougars all night.
Del Campo’s Ryan Cabral rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries but failed to get going early on. Most of his runs came after the Bears had established a significant lead.
Rest of the Field
#1 Oakdale 63 #8Vista Del Lago 35 [D V]
Running back Will Semone exploded for 317 yards (a school record) and four touchdowns on just 21 carries. Oakdale (10-2) scored on all eight of its first possessions and has now won ten games in a row.
Oakdale advances to the semifinals to face Merced (9-3) but Vista Del Lago provided a little bit of scare by scoring 35 points, the most any team has scored all year against the Mustangs.
#6 Marysville vs #7 Colfax [D V]
Colfax (9-3) reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs for the second time in three years following a thrilling 41-38 victory over Marysville. Both teams upset their first round opponents and proved why they belonged.
Colfax utilized its unique two-quarterback system to great results. Quarterbacks Austin Weir and Ryland Heimann combined for 394 of the teams 514 yards. Their tenacity was matched by Marysville quarterback Chase Tarr who scored four touchdowns and ran for 142 yards. His fullback Andrew Hoang rushed for a game-high 149 yards.
Colfax will face No. 4 Capital Christian for the Division V section title.
#2 American Canyon 39 #7 Yuba City 8 [D III]
Yuba City (8-4) scored once when quarterback Bryce Rogers hurled into the endzone on a quarterback sneak to cut the lead to 13-8 in the first quarter, but it was all American Canyon (11-1) after that. The Wolves racked up 26 unanswered points to finish the game as a host of players got in on the action.
Andrew Rapacon scored the first touchdown and finished with 15 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Kama Aalona finished 101 yards on six carries, including an 85-yard option run for the game’s last touchdown.
