Two Playoff Wins
Sonora and Calaveras both played in front of the home crowd and walked off the gridiron with victories in the first round of the High School Football playoffs.
The Wildcats hit on all cylinders last night as they picked up the win over the Marysville Indians in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Division V Championship, 39-14. On the first possession of the game, the Wildcats turned a fumble recovery by Nate Gookin into a touchdown.
Sonora’s defense had a shutout into the 3rd quarter, stifling even good field position by Marysville. Killian Roscoe led the way with 10 tackles and 1 sack. The Wildcats spread the ball around with Nate Gookin, Kane Rodgers and Wyatt Faughnan all scoring on the ground. Sammy Page won the honor of Sonora Grocery Outlets Player of the Game by hooking up with Rodgers on two beautifully thrown passes and controlling the Wildcats offense while chewing up huge chunks of time off the clock.
Riley Garrett completed the scoring with a 29-yard field goal toward the end of the third quarter and a high snap out the back of the end zone by Marysville gave the Wildcats a two-point safety. Almost all of the sophomore players, pulled up for the playoffs, gained some next level conference experience.
Back at Dunlavy Field next week, Sonora (10-1) takes on No. 4 Orestimba (11-0), a team which is having what some call a “miracle season”, as the Warriors beat Hughson, 42-35.
Calaveras also walked away with a win in division VI. The Indians beat the Center Cougars 28 to 14. Next, the team matches up against No. 3 Sierra (6-5) on their home turf.
