By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Not all the fight was over the foster child after all.
Placer’s football team, which had to go to court earlier this week to get into the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. IV playoffs, made it’s case on the field that it definitely belonged all along Friday night with a stunning 27-14 upset at Oakdale in a first-round game.
Asher Gotzmer hauled in two touchdown passes from Matt Ross – and Jake Lopez added TD runs of 4- and 6 yards as the Hillmen eliminated the defending section champions and won their first playoff game in eight years.
“We were 21-point underdogs,” Placer coach Joey Montoya said not stating a particular source. “Nobody thought we could come in here and do this but us. Our kids appreciated being here. They felt they got new life and they took advantage.
“A lot of people fought hard for them to be here and I think they mirrored that fight tonight.”
Placer made national news when an Alameda County Court Judge ruled Monday that junior reserve running back Dalton Dyer was eligible, which thus lifted three forfeit losses to victory.
That qualified Placer (7-4) for the playoffs, which were scheduled to begin Nov. 21. Three of the four Division IV games took place but another Alameda judge ordered a temporarily restraining order on the scheduled Colfax at Oakdale game until Dalton’s case could be heard.
Dalton, a foster child who moved to Auburn in the summer, was originally ruled ineligible last month for not submitting proper hardship-transfer paperwork. An appeal to CIF was also denied, so Montoya called his entire team on Nov. 15 that their season was over.
But the prestigious National Center for Youth Law, a foster child advocacy group, took over the case and won to the surprise of many.
"Our main focus of the fight was for Dalton and getting back into the playoffs was just icing," Montoya said.
Placer didn’t practice for more than a week, then replaced Colfax in the playoffs. The emotionally-weary and rusty Hillmen didn’t expect to have much of a chance against an Oakdale team that featured two superb backs in Nicky Batteate (lightning) and Isiah Borba (thunder).
But after Oakdale took just four plays to power through the Placer defense, the Hillmen settled down and scored three second-quarter touchdowns to take command.
From there, the defense gave its best effort of the season “bar none,” Montoya said and Placer pulled the shocker. Not committing a turnover helped.
“We finally put four quarters of football together,” Montoya said. “I had a good feeling coming in. But I’ve confidence in this team all season. We’re a lot better team than people give us credit for.”
Also very devoted.
Six players were out of town – three in Los Angeles, one each in Hawaii, Santa Cruz and Sonoma - for Thanksgiving break but all five high-tailed it home when Monday’s news came down.
“It not only shows the players great dedication but the same for their families,” Montoya said. “All made tremendous sacrifices.”
Montoya, who was reached on the team bus for this report, made his own sacrifices. His voice was extremely horse on the telephone conversation.
"It's usually a little horse after any game," Montoya said. "It's definiitely a little more horse after today's game."
It was all worth it Friday as the Hillmen played their best game of the year with the most eyeballs on the program.
When Oakdale pounced on them on its first drive, the Hillmen didn’t panic. At least the players didn’t.
“To a man (after Oakdale scored), the players came up and said ‘don’t worry coach,’ “ Montoya said. “They knew something I didn’t.”
After Gotzmer completed a long drive with his first receiving touchdown to tie the game at 7-7, Montoya called for an onside kick and Placer executed perfectly. On the very next play, Ross and Gotzmer connected on a 44-yard TD pass, according to the Auburn Journal.
Lopez’ first TD made it 19-7 at halftime and his 6-yard TD run in the fourth clinched it.
According to the Journal, Ross completed 6 passes of 124 yards and two scores, Gotzmer carried 11 times for 94 yards and Lopez was 11 for 58. Dalton also contributed with a 24-yard run.
“Considering all that we’ve been through I think the team was very confident,” Montoya said. “Still, considering the roller-coaster ride we’ve been on this has got to be one of the most satisfying wins I’ve ever experienced.”
Even though Oakdale was put out by last week’s TRO, Montoya said the fans, coaches and fans were classy throughout.
“They played the game like it’s supposed to be played,” Montoya said. “They were an extremely talented and fast team, as good as any team we’ve faced this year.”
Placer now goes on to play at Dixon next week in semifinal action.
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
Stay tuned for video and photos on this game later this weekend.
