Patterson races past Kimball in Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs to advance to D-IV semifinals

Jim Silva
·2 min read

Patterson High football coach Rob Cozart had a warning for his players after Friday night’s Sac-Joaquin Section playoff win.

“Be ready for a battle.”

The third-seeded Tigers will face that battle next Friday night against second-seeded Vista del Lago in Folsom in the Division IV semifinals.

Patterson stamped its ticket to the semis with an impressive 40-7 victory over sixth-seeded Kimball of Tracy.

Quarterback Max Medina passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and Jeremiah Lugo had two short TD runs to spark the Tigers’ offense. Patterson’s defense forced four turnovers and allowed Kimball’s only score in garbage time.

Patterson quarterback Max Medina (3) throws a deep pass during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson quarterback Max Medina (3) throws a deep pass during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.

The 10-1 Tigers have ripped off five straight wins since suffering their only loss Sept. 29 against Central California Conference rival Merced.

Patterson has outscored its opponents 266-58 in those five games.

“Things are clicking for us,” Cozart said. “We’re back getting healthy as well. We’ve had a bye week for this first round of the playoffs and that helped us out a lot. ...

“We’re at the level right now where things are really clicking for us, but we know we’ve got a big challenge waiting for us on Friday.”

The Tigers jumped on Kimball early and the Jaguars (6-5) could never recover.

Medina hit Noah Cozart for a 55-yard touchdown pass on Patterson’s opening drive. Then after a Kimball punt, Medina connected with Frank Callum on a 57-yard TD pass.

Patterson receiver Frank Callum (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammate Noah Cozart (2) during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Frank Callum (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammate Noah Cozart (2) during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.

“That was our game plan, just to get our playmakers involved,” said Medina, the Tigers’ sharp left-handed sophomore.

Lugo’s 1-yard TD run and Jared Carrete’s 33-yard field goal gave the Tigers a 24-0 halftime lead.

Kimball fumbled on its first play from scrimmage to start the second half. Another Lugo 1-yard TD run put the game out of reach at 31-0. Medina added a 9-yard TD run to make it 37-0.

Junior running back Coby Joseph combined with Lugo to give the Tigers a nice one-two punch in the running game. Joseph finished with 91 yards on 12 carries.

Vista del Lago will be a big test

Now Patterson sets its sights on reaching the section title game.

To get there, the Tigers will have to get past Vista del Lago, which is 10-1 and the champion of the Capital Athletic League.

After dropping their season opener to Manteca by 7, the Eagles have rattled off 10 consecutive wins.

They earned their spot in the semifinals with a 48-7 win over Rio Americano on Friday night.

“We just have to have a good week of practice, focus up and get prepared,” Medina said.

Patterson Head Coach Rob Cozart talks to his players during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson Head Coach Rob Cozart talks to his players during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Noah Cozart (2) runs to the endzone to score a touchdown during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Noah Cozart (2) runs to the endzone to score a touchdown during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Jace Johnson (12) sprints downfield after catching a pass During a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Jace Johnson (12) sprints downfield after catching a pass During a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson running back Jeremiah Lugo (1) tries to evade a Kimball defender during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson running back Jeremiah Lugo (1) tries to evade a Kimball defender during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Noah Cozart (2) catches a deep pass during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson receiver Noah Cozart (2) catches a deep pass during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson quarterback Max Medina (3) scrambles out of the pocket to escape pressure during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.
Patterson quarterback Max Medina (3) scrambles out of the pocket to escape pressure during a Division IV Sac Joaquin Section Football Playoff game between Patterson and Kimball at Patterson High School in Patterson CA on November 10, 2023.