The Sports Informant

Two games shared the Game of the Week honors this past weekend, as each had serious league title and playoff implications. While Rocklin and Del Oro battled for first place in their league, Folsom and Pleasant Grove did the same, and both games provided the excitement expected.

Rocklin (9-0 overall, 4-0 in league) came into the matchup on Nov. 6 undefeated and atop the Division II Sierra Foothill League, but Del Oro (7-2, 2-2) crept up to the game with just one loss on the season.

After a Rocklin field goal, Del Oro struck back on a 65-yard pass in the first quarter from quarterback Max Magleby (9 for 17 passing for 201 yards, a touchdown and an interception) to receiver Adrian Williams (four catches for 116 yards), putting the Golden Eagles up, 7-3. But the Rocklin Thunder stormed back in the second quarter, holding Del Oro scoreless while scoring two touchdowns, one on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jimmy Laughrea and the other on a 2-yard run from back Jackson Cummings (128 yards rushing), to go up 17-7 at half.

Rocklin's Jackson Cummings rushes against Del Oro. (Photo courtesy Tom Paniagua)

Not to be outdone in the fierce rivalry, Del Oro scored first in the second half, as back Bryce Pratt (32 rushes for 136 yards) rushed in from 11 yards out for a touchdown in the third quarter, only to score again in the fourth on a 2-yard run to put Del Oro up, 21-17.

Rocklin, proving true to its undefeated season, fought back in the fourth quarter, though, and after a 4-yard touchdown run by Cummings, put the game on the defense’s shoulders. Del Oro, down 24-21, took the ball and drove downfield, at one point holding the ball first and goal with just minutes to play.

But the Thunder stepped up, shutting down Del Oro on four straight plays, including a fourth and goal pass attempt in the end zone that if completed would have given the Golden Eagles the win.

Folsom and Pleasant Grove, meanwhile, needed overtime to decide their game, which was another barn-burner between two teams battling for Delta River League title once again.

Pleasant Grove (6-3, 3-1) came into the matchup undefeated in league play, and a win would put them on track to repeat as DRL champs. Folsom (8-1, 3-1), who had its league title hopes dashed a season ago by Pleasant Grove in a tight loss, wasn’t going to let that happen again.

Folsom’s explosive offense started the game as it usually does, with a long touchdown completion from quarterback Dano Graves (23 for 29 passing for 383 yards, four touchdowns and an interception) to receiver Tyler Trosin (nine catches for 169 yards), this time for 76 yards to go up 7-0. Pleasant Grove responded in the first quarter, scoring on a 42-yard pass from quarterback Taylor Congdon (10 for 13 passing for 134 yards, a touchdown and an interception) to receiver Drew Ahmann (four catches for 86 yards), but the extra point was missed. It was a foreshadowing miss that would haunt the Eagles later.

Pleasant Grove’s defense then stepped up, holding Folsom scoreless both the second and third quarter, going up 12-7 on a Congdon 16-yard touchdown run and a missed two-point conversion.

The fourth quarter, though, proved a lot more explosive. Folsom started first on a 23-yard touchdown catch by Trosin, only to miss the two-point conversion to make it 13-12. Pleasant Grove’s Cody Demps came back with a 61-yard scoring pass to receiver Kenny Taylor (14 catches for 106 yards), along with a successful two-point conversion after.

Down 20-13, Folsom tied it up in the fourth quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Richards from Graves, and the game went into overtime, 20-20.

Folsom got the ball first, eventually scoring on an 11-yard pass to Trosin from Graves, and with a successful extra point, led by seven. Pleasant Grove returned fire with a nine-yard rushing score by Jalen Saunders, but when the Eagles missed the extra point, Folsom took the victory.

Division I

Delta Valley League:

Nevada Union (8-1, 4-0) continued its fabulous season by winning its seventh straight game, beating Elk Grove (3-6, 2-2), 35-14. Quarterback Broughan Jantz threw for a touchdown and rushed for another to lead the way.

Laguna Creek (3-6, 2-2) beat Valley (0-9, 0-4), 44-0. Franklin (5-4, 3-1) beat Davis (2-7, 1-3), 34-7.

Delta River League:
Monterey Trail (7-2, 3-1) stayed in the hunt with a 57-41 win over Jesuit (4-5, 1-3) on Nov. 7. The shootout saw the Mustangs score 23 first quarter points, as back Drake Tofi rushed 18 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way.

Sheldon (7-2, 2-2) dominated Florin (1-8, 0-4), 28-0.

Division II

Metropolitan Conference:

Grant (9-0, 5-0) continued its dominance over the Metropolitan Conference with a 62-6 win over McClatchy (2-7, 2-3) on Nov. 7, staying undefeated on the season in pursuit of a repeat state championship.

Burbank (6-3, 5-0) stayed undefeated in league play with a 63-0 win over Johnson (0-9, 0-5), making its eventual showdown with Grant for the league title a big game to watch in the future.

Sacramento (5-4, 2-3) beat Lathrop, 42-13. Rosemont (6-3, 4-2) beat Kennedy (1-8, 0-5), 44-0.

Sierra Valley Conference:

Oak Ridge (6-3, 5-0) won its sixth straight game to clinch the SVC title, beating Galt (4-5, 1-4) on Nov. 6, 51-24. The win and Vista del Lago’s (5-4, 3-2) 16-0 loss to Union Mine (4-5, 3-3) gave the Trojans the league’s top spot the rest of the way.

Running back Jordan Matanane rushed 33 times for 204 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Trojans to victory.

Christian Brothers (6-3, 3-2) beat Cordova (3-6, 1-4), 66-36.

Sierra Foothill League:
Granite Bay (7-2, 2-2), still clinging to hope for the playoffs after two league losses, kept itself alive with a 51-14 win over Oakmont (5-4, 1-3) on Oct. 6. Granite Bay receiver Ian Rhodes caught four touchdown passes from quarterback Brendan Keeney in the win.

Woodcreek (4-5, 3-1) beat Roseville (2-7, 0-4), 16-7.

For complete scores from Division III through Division VII games, visit MaxPreps.com.