Raiders have the State Bowl Game history and a tough schedule. Tartans have no losses and some big-time offensive and defensive numbers.
Division IVCentral Catholic (Modesto) vs. St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano)Friday, 4 p.m., StubHub Center (Carson)Records: Central Catholic 11-3; St. Margaret's 15-0
Points for/against: Central Catholic 581-252; St. Margaret's 635-181
Computer rankings (national-state): Central Catholic 1,554-126; St. Margaret's 1,626-128
Calpreps.com projection: Central Catholic 35, St. Margaret's 21
Kekupaa Freehauf, Central Catholic
Photo by Mark Bahrenfuss
The Raiders punched their ticket to the StubHub Center for the
third-straight year thanks to a 35-14 win over Capital Christian
(Sacramento) in the Regional Bowl, as running back
Justin Rice eclipsed 300 yards in the game and scored three touchdowns. They won the Sac-Joaquin Section
Division IV title with a 42-35 triumph over Sonora. During the regular
season, they played in the Valley Oak League with teams that went
Division II and Division III for the section and state playoffs, and
finished third. Their three losses were to SJS Division II-III teams St.
Mary's (Stockton), Sierra (Manteca) and Oakdale.
Who got them here: The Raiders love to hand off to Justin Rice (2,096 yards and 30 touchdowns). Their season yardage is about 66 percent on the ground, so he has certainly played a huge role. And he is also the leading receiver in terms of yardage (599 yards). When they do throw,
Hunter Petlansky has netted 18 touchdowns compared with six interceptions.
Jared Rice leads the team with eight touchdown catches. The defense follows the lead of
Kekupaa Freehauf, who leads the team with 130 tackles from the linebacker spot.
Zackary Sandelin leads the team with five sacks from the defensive line and Jared Rice has compiled an impressive six interceptions.
Their bowl history: The Raiders won the 2013 Division IV Bowl over Bakersfield Christian,
they won the 2012 Division IV Bowl over Santa Fe Christian (Solana
Beach) and they lost the 2007 Division III bowl to St. Bonaventure
(Ventura).
George Krantz, St. Margaret's
Photo by Nicholas Koza
The Tartans stayed undefeated with a 48-21 blowout of Christian (El Cajon) in the Regional Bowl and earned their second trip to the StubHub Center.
George Krantz tossed four touchdown passes and
Nick Shanks earned TDs on a reception and an interception return. They won the Southern Section East Valley Division with a 34-21 win over Grace Brethren (Simi Valley). During the regular season, they won their league (for the 10th-straight time) and blasted through all 10 games, with their smallest win by 10 points. Only once during the season (including playoffs) did they win by a single-digit margin.
Who got them here: The Tartans don't supply stats to MaxPreps, as coach Stephen Barbee has said that he prefers not to give opponents a chance to see which players to key on. It has obviously paid some dividends. The big-time points total shows that Krantz, only a sophomore, knows what he's doing as he leads the team at quarterback.
Dalan Cragun is a lauded middle linebacker, and
Oscar D. Gomez Jr. has earned accolades at running back.
Fernando Delgado was an All-CIF Team receiver last season as well.
Their bowl history: The Tartans won the 2008 Small Schools Bowl over Hamilton (Hamilton City).
