‘It’s a privilege.’ Four Merced County football teams still alive in section playoffs
Three Merced County High School football teams will be trying to punch their ticket into the section championship game and one other will try to bring home a blue banner.
The stakes are high with Los Banos, Hilmar, Dos Palos and Stone Ridge Christian high schools still alive in the section playoffs.
At this point of the year, coaches pull out all the stops. That’s why Los Banos head coach Dustin Caropreso had his quarterback David Herrera throwing footballs that had been dunked in buckets of water to as the Tigers prepared to play in wet weather on Friday night.
The Tigers were also practicing across town on Pacheco High School’s turf field because Los Banos has only played two games on turf this season.
“It would be awesome if these guys get to compete for a section title,” Caropreso said. “How many teams get to do it?”
The Tigers last appeared in a Sac-Joaquin Section championship game when they won their last title in 1991. Caropreso played on that team.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups for Merced County teams.
Sac-Joaquin Section
Division V
No. 4 Los Banos (10-1) at No. 1 Twelve Bridges (11-0) — The biggest challenge for the Tigers is trying to slow down Rhinos running back Nathan Crawford. The Twelve Bridges star is seventh in the Sac-Joaquin Section with 1,675 rushing yards and second in the section with 35 touchdowns.
“If we can slow down their running game it would work in our favor,” Caropreso said. “The weather is going to be an issue. They are calling for rain. It could come down to who can hold onto the ball.”
The Tigers will counter with their duo of quarterback David Herrera and running back Joel Alvarenga.
No. 3 Hilmar (8-3) at No. 2 Casa Roble (10-1) — Upsets by the Yellowjackets and Tigers would set up a Hilmar- Los Banos section championship.
“How fun would that be,” Hilmar coach Frank Marques said.
Hilmar will have to contain an explosive Rams offense that has scored at least 45 points in their final six games. Casa Roble quarterback Connor Campbell has thrown for 2,118 yards and 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions this year.
The Rams are strong on the ground, averaging 7.5 yards per carry as a team and average 191.7 rushing yards per game.
The Yellowjackets counter with star Caleb Bailey, who is sixth in the Sac-Joaquin Section with 1,683 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Bailey is averaging 11.3 yards per carry.
The Yellowjackets are hoping their tough schedule and grinding through the Trans-Valley League has prepared them for this moment. Five teams on Hilmar’s schedule are still alive in the semifinals.
Marques compared Casa Roble to an Escalon and Hughson, who the Yellowjackets battled in the TVL.
“Escalon and Hughson have that type of passing game and are that type of caliber team,” Marques said. “Our kids have been through the ringer, we’ve been tested. Casa Roble is a really good team, but we’ve faced really good teams.”
Division VII
No. 2B Stone Ridge Christian (9-1) at No. 1B Woodland Christian (11-0) — These two teams will square off for the Division VIIB section championship.
The Knights will have to find a way to move the ball against a Cardinals defense that has posted seven shutouts this season and has only allowed one team to score more than 15 points.
“They’re excellent and very aggressive,” said SRC coach Anthony DeJager. “They get downhill right at the snap of the ball and put pressure on you immediately. They are big inside, they have good speed and they are sticky outside. There aren’t any holes on their defense.”
DeJager says execution is going to be key, especially in the running game with sophomore running back Daijon O’neil leading the way.
DeJager says it’s special to still be playing.
“It’s a privilege to have to turn the lights on at practice,” DeJager said. “You work hard in the hot sun all year so you can play in the dark and the rain.”
Central Section
Division IV
No. 3 Exeter (11-1) at No. 2 Dos Palos (10-1) —The Broncos are the only Merced County team playing at home this week.
Dos Palos will host Exeter, which defeated Roosevelt 45-22 in the quarterfinals last week.
The Monarchs are led by quarterback Jacob Molina, who has thrown for 1,899 yards and 25 touchdowns. His favorite target is receiver Aidan Robertson, who has hauled in 69 catches for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Van Worth has done a great job limiting turnovers this year. The senior has thrown for 1,686 yards and 13 touchdowns with just one interception.
The Dos Palos ground game is led by sophomore Andre Flores, who has rushed for 1,346 yards and 21 touchdowns.
