Northern California football championship brackets are out. Here’s who plays where
Just two Stanislaus District teams still are playing football and both are from the Trans Valley League.
Escalon and Hughson took home section championships in dramatic fashion over the weekend and extended their season by at least one more game. Both will play this upcoming weekend in the CIF Northern California Regional Championships.
Ripon Christian missed out on its second straight regional championship appearance with a loss Saturday. After beating Orestimba in the Division VII-A section title game two weeks ago, the Knights lost to Woodland Christian in the Sac-Joaquin Section NorCal Qualifier, 36-14. The Cardinals earned the one Division VII NorCal berth.
Escalon (12-1) came back from a 28-7 first-half deficit Friday night to beat Patterson High 36-35 in the Division IV section championship at St. Mary’s High School. Senior quarterback Donovan Rozevink found Sam Jimenez for a 13-yard touchdown then ran up the middle for a game-winning two-point conversion. Escalon led just 36 seconds in the contest.
Rozevink completed 17 of 26 passes for four touchdowns and did not throw an interception. Jimenez caught nine passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns, returned a punt 74 yards for a score and had an interception.
The Cougars now have won four straight Sac-Joaquin Section titles in various divisions and won state championships in 2019 and 2022. Last season, they beat Pleasant Valley High in the NorCal championship before beating Northwood in the state championship.
The defending state champions are on the road Friday night in the Division 3-AA state championship against Acalanes of Lafayette (9-4).
Hughson (10-3) scored 27 unanswered second-half points to bounce back from a 31-13 third-quarter deficit and take a 40-31 lead against Bradshaw Christian on Saturday afternoon in the Division VI section title game. The Pride scored once more, but it was too late, Hughson quarterback Robert McDaniel kneeled out the clock to seal the win. The Huskies will host their NorCal game Saturday at 6 p.m., welcoming Palma (6-7) in the Division 4-A game.
McDaniel overcame a first-quarter interception, completing 14 of 25 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander Villarreal rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries and caught a touchdown pass. David Delgado caught six passes for 133 yards and a touchdown and had an interception return for 40 yards. Larkin Meyer caught a touchdown pass and had 10 tackles. David Burns led the team with 17 tackles.
Hughson secured its second straight section title and begins the journey for its third state ring. The Huskies were named mythical state champions in 1997. Last season, they won their state championship on the field.
CIF Northern California Finals Schedule
AA-level games kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday while A-level games are Saturday at 6 p.m.
The CIF Open Division state championship is set. Serra-San Mateo (12-0) will play Mater Dei of Santa Ana (12-1) on Dec. 9.
State championship venues also are set. Each NorCal champion in its respective division will travel to Southern California to play at either El Camino College in Torrance, Pasadena City College or Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
Division 1-AA: Clovis North (13-0) at De La Salle (10-2)
Division 1-A: Pittsburg (13-0) at Folsom (11-2)
Division 2-AA: Grant (11-2) at Rocklin (12-1)
Division 2-A: El Cerrito (11-1) at Los Gatos (11-2)
Division 3-AA: Escalon (11-1) at Acalanes (9-4)
Division 3-A: McClymonds (9-2) at Marin Catholic (12-1)
Division 4-AA: Casa Roble (12-1) at Soquel (11-2)
Division 4-A: Palma (6-7) at Hughson (10-3)
Division 5-AA: Miramonte (9-3) at Pleasant Valley (9-3)
Division 5-A: Woodland Christian (13-0) at Orland (11-1)
Division 6-AA: Palo Alto (8-5) vs. St, Vincent de Paul (11-2)
Division 6-A: Colusa (12-0) at South San Francisco (12-1)
Division 7-AA: Portola (12-0) vs. Ferndale (9-4)
Division 7-A: Lincoln-San Francisco (9-3) at Strathmore (10-4)
