Via Will DeBoard of the CIF Sac-Joaquin SectionSac-Joaquin Section playoff score projections* This year marks the 43rd year of Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs.
* 167 championships have been won since the playoffs began in 1971.
* Until 1984, playoffs were designated as Class A (small schools), Class AA (medium schools) and Class AAA (large schools). Those designations changed to Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.) in 1985. A fifth division was added in 2002. Divisions VI and VII were added in 2006. Four years ago, the divisions contracted from seven to six, while the number of competing teams increased from 58 to 76. And this year, we've gone back to seven divisions with a total of 78 teams qualifying.
* In Year One (1971), the only championship offered was Class A with four teams, three games, one championship and no neutral sites. This year, the Section will offer seven championship divisions with 78 teams, 71 games and seven neutral site championships.
* Official name for this year's playoffs is: CIF Sac-Joaquin Section/Les Schwab Tires Football Championships Presented by Farmers Insurance.
* All seven eventual Section champions become eligible for participation in the CIF State Football Bowl Northern California Regional Championships to be played on December 12 and 13 at sites to be determined. Winners of the regional games will play in the State Championships on December 19 and 20 at StubHub Center (formerly Home Depot Center) in Carson. Section Commissioners will select nine north and nine south teams to compete in four regional games plus an open division team. The two open division teams (one north and one south) will not play in regional contests; they'll go straight to the state game. Any eligible teams with schools that have an enrollment of under 500 are only eligible for Division IV (Small Schools Division).
* Four teams (Folsom, Grant, El Dorado and Capital Christian) enter the playoffs with perfect records. If history tells us anything, at least one of these teams will win a championship, as there has been at least one unbeaten team win a Section championship for 18 of the past 20 years.
* Stagg and Foresthill are the only teams to enter the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. Stagg (4-6), the No. 16 seed in Division I, finished second in the SJAA thanks to its Week 10 win over league champion Chavez, coupled with McNair's victory over Bear Creek. Foresthill (3-7) advanced to the Division VII playoffs courtesy of its third-place finish in the Sacramento Metro Athletic League.
* Five teams qualified with 5-5 records, two in Division II and two in Division VII. They are: Del Oro, Yuba City, Brookside Christian and Woodland Christian. All four teams qualified via automatic berth. At least one of these teams is going to win in the first round, as Brookside Christian and Woodland Christian face off against each other in their D7 game. No 5-5 teams qualified with at-large berths, and every 6-4 team with two or more league wins qualified. It was a perfect cut-off point for the playoffs this year.
* Ten of the 78 teams in the playoffs have never won a playoff game, and two of those teams – Chavez and Gregori – are in the playoffs for the first time. The other eight teams that are winless in the postseason are: Modesto (0-6), Orestimba (0-6), Elliot Christian (0-3), Natomas (0-2), Pacheco (0-2), River Valley (0-2), Woodland Christian (0-2) and Stone Ridge Christian (0-1).
* 60 of the 78 teams in this year's playoffs qualified for the playoffs last year; That's nearly identical to last year's 61 repeat teams. In 2012, that number was 51. Ten of the 12 finalists return; Oak Ridge (D1 runner-up) and Hilmar (D4 runner-up) didn't qualify this year. All six Section champions – Folsom, Del Oro, Manteca, Central Catholic, Le Grand and Bradshaw Christian – return. Even with the addition of a seventh division, the six defending champions are all in the same division they won last year.
* Extending consecutive playoff appearances are No. 1 Grant (24), Escalon (17), Granite Bay (16), Central Catholic (14), Napa (13) and St. Mary's (13). Two lengthy postseason streaks that ended this year were Calaveras (17) and Lincoln-S (14).
* Only two teams reappear in the playoffs after a lengthy absence. Valley, the No. 16 seed in Division III, is in the postseason for the first time since 2000. In the D1 playoffs that year, the Vikings beat Jesuit 35-28 in overtime before falling 36-7 to Nevada Union. Gustine, the No. 6 seed in Division VI, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. That year, the Redskins lost a D5 first-round game to Modesto Christian, 38-28.
* First round pairings:
Opponents with the most combined playoff experience – Patterson (24) and Grant (70) have combined for 94 playoff games in their collective histories. The two have never met in the playoffs before. Grant has primarily competed at the Division I level, while Patterson has historically played in the Division III and IV brackets. But this year, they're both in D2, and meet in the first round.
88 games – Vintage (26) at Elk Grove (62)
83 games – Roseville (22) at Del Oro (61)
83 games – Center (21) at Escalon (62)
75 games – Vanden (38) at Manteca (37)
Opponents with the least combined playoff experience – Foresthill (6) at Stone Ridge Christian (1); American Canyon (5) at Vista del Lago (8); Monterey Trail (9) at Cosumnes Oaks (5); Rosemont (6) at Sierra (9); Brookside Christian (14) at Woodland Christian (2).
There are two rematches from 2013:
Wood at Burbank: These teams are meeting in the Division II first round for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Titans rolled to a 61-28 victory over the Wildcats behind over 500 yards of rushing. Leading the way for Burbank last year was senior Benjamin Jones, who accounted for 277 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Christian Brothers at Sacramento: This Division III first-round game is a rematch of a 2013 D3 semifinal. In that game, the Dragons beat the Falcons 48-38 in getting to the first Section championship game in Sacramento High history. In that game, Dragons sophomore quarterback Caden Voges threw for 529 yards and six touchdowns, completing eight of those passes to senior Damen Wheeler for 380 yards and four scores.
Best combined regular season record: 17-3; Patterson (7-3) at Grant (10-0), Vacaville Christian (7-3) at Capital Christian (10-0), Rio Vista (8-2) at Modesto Christian (9-1). Two of those games – Vacaville Christian-Capital Christian and Rio Vista-Modesto Christian – are D6 games.
Longest drive: This year, the Section's top first-round traveler award goes to the Foresthill Wildfires, who took third place in the Sacramento Metro Athletic League to qualify in the D7 bracket. Foresthill heads a whopping 163 miles to Merced, where it will play CCAA runner-up Stone Ridge Christian. Other long trips are:
151 miles – Summerville at Colfax (D5)
148 miles – Orestimba at Bear River (D5)
137 miles – Marysville at Sonora (D4)
132 miles – Dixon at Los Banos (D4)
Shortest drive: The closest game this year is so close, it might be a walk instead of a drive. Christian Brothers will only be traveling 1.5 miles, mainly down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Broadway in their Oak Park neighborhood, to face Sacramento in a D3 game. It's the second year in a row these teams will meet in the postseason. Other short distances are:
5.1 miles – Monterey Trail at Cosumnes Oaks (D1)
7.6 miles – Roseville at Del Oro (D2)
15 miles – Del Campo at Rocklin (D2)
20 miles – Valley at Inderkum (D3)
* The Division VI and VII finals will be played at the Grape Bowl in Lodi on Saturday, November 29. The Division VII final will be at 1:00 p.m. and the Division VI final is at 6 p.m.
* The Division IV and V finals will be played on Friday, November 28 at 7 p.m. The D5 championship will be at The Grape Bowl in Lodi, while the D4 game will be contested at Lincoln High School in Stockton.
* Division I, II and III finals will be played in some combination on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, December 6 at Lincoln High School in Stockton (D3) and Sacramento State (D1 and 2).
DIVISION I* Notes: We bid a warm welcome to Chavez and Gregori, both schools in the Section football playoffs for the first time in school history. … There are five league champions in this field, led by top seed Folsom (the Delta League winners) and the No. 4 seed, Merced (Central California Conference). … Folsom has won two Section championships in a row and is the defending D1 titlist. The Bulldogs lost 39-35 to Vacaville in the 2011 D2 championship; that's Folsom's last loss to an SJS team. … The Delta League and CCC each have three representatives in this 16-team field. … None of these schools have ever previously faced their first-round opponent in the playoffs.
No. 16 Stagg (Stockton) (4-6) at No. 1 Folsom (10-0) Stagg took a long road to the playoffs after last year's 9-1 campaign. The Delta Kings struggled early and appeared to be on the outside looking in until some Week 10 upsets saw them placing second in the San Joaquin Athletic Association and into the postseason for the sixth straight year. The Delta Kings have been in the playoffs 12 times, sporting a 6-12 record. Folsom enters the postseason after its third straight 10-0 regular season and is ranked among the top high school football teams in the nation. The Bulldogs have won eight SJS postseason games in a row and 15 of their last 16. In 13 playoff appearances in the school's history, Folsom has a 24-8 record and five Section titles. Three of those titles have come since 2010.
No. 9 Franklin (Elk Grove) (6-4) at No. 8 Modesto (9-1)Franklin, the fourth-place team out of the Delta League, is in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. It's made the quarterfinals each of the last three years and, in 2012, got to the semifinals for the first time. In seven playoff appearances, the Wildcats are 4-7. Modesto, the Modesto Metro Conference runner-up, suffered their only loss of the season in Week 5, a 35-32 loss to Downey. Modesto was stopped near the goal line on the game's final play; this is a team about three yards from a 10-0 season. The Panthers are looking for their first postseason victory in their seventh appearance and second consecutive appearance.
* No. 12 Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) (6-4) at No. 5 Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (8-2)This is a game featuring two schools from the same school district (Elk Grove Unified) and about five miles from each other. Monterey Trail, the Delta League fifth-place team, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. In fact, the Mustangs have only made the playoffs three times, but in 2009 and 2010 they advanced to the Section championship game. Cosumnes Oaks, meanwhile, enters the playoffs as the Capital Valley Conference champion. The Wolfpack are in the Division I field for the first time and are in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Their last win was over Christian Brothers in D3 in 2012.
No. 13 Tokay (Lodi) (7-3) at No. 4 Merced (8-2)Tokay, the Tri-City Athletic League third-place team, is in the playoffs for the third straight year and seventh time in school history. Tokay is searching for its second postseason win in school history; its other win was a 16-7 triumph over Turlock in 1997. That year, current Tokay coach Louis Franklin was a sophomore. Merced, the CCC champion, returns to the playoffs for the third straight year; its last postseason victory was in 2008, when it advanced to the semifinals. The Bears have a 26-18 record in 20 playoff appearances, including championships in 1989 and 1990. Their last title game appearance was in 2006, a 37-36 loss to Vacaville.
No. 14 Chavez (Stockton) (7-3) at No. 3 Granite Bay (7-3)Chavez, the SJAA champion, is in the playoffs for the first time in school history. It opened in 2005. The Titans are 2-2 against other playoff teams this year, including a 40-36 win over Gregori. On the other side, Granite Bay has loads of playoff experience. The Grizzlies, which finished in a three-way tie for second place in the SFL but were third by criteria, are in the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season. Granite Bay has won in the first-round for five straight years and has a 29-10 record in 15 postseason appearances. The Grizzlies have won five Section championships, their last two coming in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, they went on to win the D1 CIF State Championship Bowl Game.
No. 11 Pitman (Turlock) (7-2) at No. 6 Napa (8-2)Pitman, the CCC third-place team, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Pride began the season with five straight wins – including one over MMC champion Downey – before falling in league play to Merced and crosstown rival Turlock. Napa, the MEL champion, is in the playoffs for the 13th consecutive and 22nd overall time. The Indians have lost their last four playoff games; their lone championship win came in 2007, a 38-36 win over St. Mary's. Napa's two regular-season losses were to 10-0 teams – Clayton Valley and Campolindo of the North Coast Section.
No. 10 Turlock (6-4) at No. 7 Tracy (7-3)This game features two teams with the Bulldogs mascot. Turlock, the CCC runner-up, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and is searching for its first win since 2003. In 10 playoff appearances, Turlock has a 5-10 record. Tracy, the TCAL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight year. In 19 playoff appearances, Tracy has a 23-17 record with two Section championships. Those titles came under the tutelage of Section Hall of Fame coach Wayne Schneider in 1982 and 1987. Turlock and Tracy met in a non-league game this year, with Tracy beating Turlock 43-41 on Sept. 26.
No. 15 Gregori (Modesto (7-3) at No. 2 Jesuit (Carmichael) (8-2)
Gregori, the MMC third-place team, is in the playoffs for the first time. The Jaguars just missed out on the playoffs last year, when they went 6-4 but were one of two 6-4 teams not to receive an at-large berth because of too few opponents' wins. Jesuit, the Delta League runner-up, is in the playoffs for the second straight year and 19th time in school history. They have an overall postseason record of 17-16 with two championships won (1995, 2002). Jesuit's two losses were to 10-0 teams and national powers Grant and De La Salle.
DIVISION II* Note: This bracket has four league champions, led by top-seeded Grant (Delta League) and No. 3 seed St. Mary's (TCAL). … Defending champion Del Oro returns as the No. 4 seed. The 5-5 Golden Eagles played one of the toughest schedules in the state but was still able to return to the postseason. … The CVC and MEL each have three representatives in this division.
No. 16 Patterson (7-3) at No. 1 Grant (Sacramento) (10-0)Patterson, the WAC third-place team, is in the playoffs for the 10th straight time and very first time in D2. The fast-growing school has previously competed at the Division 3-5 level. The Tigers have lost four playoff games in a row, with their last win coming against Yuba City in their 2010 D3 quarterfinals. Grant is one of the most storied franchises in Section postseason history and it enters this year on a 10-game winning streak. It's the 24th straight playoffs appearance for the Pacers and they are looking to make it to their first championship game since 2010. Their closest game this season was a 26-19 win over Elk Grove, the No. 2 seed in this division. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 9 Antelope (7-3) at No. 8 Downey (Modesto) (9-1)Antelope, the CVC runner-up, returns to the postseason for the fifth straight time and also the fifth time in school history. The Titans are searching for their second playoff win ever; their first came against Rocklin in a 2012 D2 first-round game. Downey, the MMC champion, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. It marks a resurgence of sorts as the Knights' last appearance before that was in 2003 and before that it was 1991. In 12 postseason appearances, Downey is 5-12 with its last win coming over Bethel in the 2012 D1 first round. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 12 Yuba City (5-5) at No. 5 Vacaville (8-2) Yuba City, the Tri-County Conference runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight year and is hoping to build on its D2 semifinal appearance from last season. That year, the Honkers beat Section heavyweights St. Mary's and Grant before falling to Del Oro. Vacaville, the MEL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the ninth straight time and is looking to extend its first-round winning streak to six years. In 24 playoff appearances, the Bulldogs are 19-22 with two championships. They beat Merced in the 2006 D1 title game and they beat Folsom in the 2011 D2 championship. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 13 Roseville (6-4) at No. 4 Del Oro (Loomis) (5-5)Roseville, the CVC fourth-place team, is in the postseason for the first time since 2011. The Tigers have only one postseason win since 1991, a 52-8 victory over Rosemont in the 2008 D2 first round. In 16 playoff appearances, they are 7-15 with one championship (1987 Division II). Del Oro finished in a three-way tie for second in the SFL, but was placed second by criteria. The Golden Eagles are in the playoffs for the sixth straight time and have a first-round winning streak of nine games. They are the defending D2 champion and have nine titles and a 46-15 record in 24 postseason appearances. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 14 River Valley (Yuba City) (6-4) at No. 3 St. Mary's (Stockton) (9-1)River Valley, the TCC third-place team, is in the playoffs for the third straight season and third time in school history. Both of those other appearances saw the Falcons lose in the first round. St. Mary's, the TCAL champion, has a lengthy Section postseason history. The Rams are here for the 13th consecutive season and 25th time overall. They lost to River Valley's crosstown rival Yuba City in the D2 first round last year, but before that had won six first-round games in a row. They have a 27-22 postseason record with two championships (2004 and 2008). These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 11 Del Campo (Fair Oaks) (7-3) at No. 6 Rocklin (8-2)Del Campo, the CVC third-place team, is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Cougars have had a lot of recent postseason success, going 11-5 since 2005 with two championships won (2006 and 2009). In their 16 overall appearances, they have a 13-14 record. Rocklin, the SFL fourth-place team (by criteria, they were in a three-way tie for second place), returns to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Thunder's last postseason win came in 2009, a 21-14 win over Del Oro in the D2 championship game. These teams have met in the Section postseason before; in the 2005 D2 first round, Rocklin beat Del Campo 23-0. These teams have also met in non-league play this year, with the Thunder claiming a 38-14 victory on Sept. 5.
No. 10 Wood (Vacaville) (6-4) at No. 7 Burbank (Sacramento) (7-3)Wood, the MEL third-place team, returns to the playoffs for the second straight time and the fifth time in school history. The Wildcats have only one postseason win, a 27-7 victory over Turlock in the 1996 D1 first round. Burbank, the Metro League champion, is in the playoffs for the 10th straight season. The Titans have won a first-round game each of the last two years and have an 8-10 overall record in 10 postseason appearances. These teams met in the first round of last year's Division II playoffs, with Burbank emerging a 61-28 victor.
No. 15 Vintage (Napa) (6-4) at No. 2 Elk Grove (8-2)Vintage, the MEL fourth-place team, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Crushers have a solid postseason history, but it goes way back as this is only their fifth playoff appearance in the 2000s. In 14 postseason appearances, they have a 14-12 record and two championships (1986, 1980). That 1986 Section title win over Christian Brothers was Vintage's last postseason victory; it has lost seven straight since then. Elk Grove, the Delta League runner-up, has a lengthy postseason record with loads of success. In 28 appearances the Thundering Herd is 39-23 with five Section championships (1984, 1991, 1997, 1998 and 2001). They've been in two straight Section championship games, losing to Folsom and Del Oro. Vintage and Elk Grove previously met in the 2007 D1 playoffs, a 42-14 Thundering Herd win. That was Vintage's last postseason game.
DIVISION III* This division features eight teams that won at least a share of their league championship, as well as defending champion Manteca and last year's runner-up Sacramento. … The VOL and SCAC each have three representatives in this 16-team field, with the VOL's three teams all seeded within the top four.
No. 16 Valley (Sacramento) (6-4) at No. 1 Inderkum (Sacramento) (9-1)Valley, the Metro fifth-place team, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2000. In that year, it beat Jesuit 35-28 in the D1 first round before falling to Nevada Union. All eight of the Vikings' previous playoff appearances were in Division I, they have a 5-8 record with a 1995 semifinal appearance. Inderkum, the TCC champion, is in the playoffs for the ninth straight year and in every one of those years it won in the first round. The Tigers have a 13-8 postseason record and have made it to two championship games (2008 and 2009), losing them both. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 9 Benicia (6-4) at No. 8 El Dorado (Placerville) (10-0)Benicia, the SCAC champion, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight year and 11th time in school history. The Panthers have two postseason wins over their last 10 contests – both coming against Patterson. This year, they lost their first three games before coming alive during league play to win the title. El Dorado, the SVC champion, is 10-0 for the first time in school history and in the playoffs for the second straight year. Before last year, the Cougars' previous playoff appearance was in 1987. Their last playoff win came in that year as well, a 26-22 victory in Division I over Kennedy. El Dorado's 1983 team won a Section title, the D2 game, over Oakdale.
No. 12 Christian Brothers (Sacramento) (8-2) at No. 5 Sacramento (8-2)Christian Brothers, the CAL runner-up, was very nearly another league champion in this bracket. The Falcons lost to Vista del Lago on a long touchdown pass in the final play of their Week 10 game. They are in the playoffs for the third straight year and 17th overall. They've won two Section titles, in 1982 and 1983. Sacramento, the Metro League champion, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Dragons have only won playoff games in one year: last year. There, they advanced all the way to the Section championship game, a 49-6 loss to Manteca. These teams met in a D3 semifinal last year, a 49-39 Sacramento victory.
No. 13 Vanden (Fairfield) (6-4) at No. 4 Manteca (8-2)Vanden, the SCAC third-place team, is in the playoffs for the second straight year. The Vikings have made the Section postseason 27 times, compiling a 15-23 record with three championships. Those titles came in 1975, 1984 and 1995. Manteca, the VOL fourth-place team, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight season. The Buffaloes are the defending D3 champion and have a four-game postseason winning streak. In 20 playoff appearances, Manteca has a 22-15 record with four titles. These teams met in the first round of the 2010 D3 playoffs, Manteca as the 1 seed and Vanden as the No. 16 seed. When the final gun sounded, Vanden was celebrating a 55-22 victory and the most shocking upset in Section postseason history.
No. 14 Pacheco (Los Banos) (7-3) at No. 3 Oakdale (9-1)Pacheco, the WAC runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight season and third year overall. The Panthers are still looking for their first postseason victory. Conversely, Oakdale, the VOL co-campion which was a runner-up by criteria, is in the playoffs for the ninth straight time and 23rd time in school history. The Mustangs haven't lost in the first round of the playoffs since 2008 and have won eight of their last 10 playoff games. Oakdale has three championships, including the 2012 D3 crown. These teams met that year, in the first round, a 63-7 Mustangs victory.
No. 11 American Canyon (7-3) at No. 6 Vista del Lago (Folsom) (7-3)This is a game that features two relatively new schools beginning to build on their playoff legacies. American Canyon, the SCAC co-champion that was a runner-up by criteria, is in the playoffs for the third straight year and third overall. The Wolves have never lost a first-round game. Vista del Lago, the CAL champion, is in the playoffs for the fifth straight season and fifth year overall. The Eagles are 4-4 in those appearances, including a Section championship appearance in 2012, a 22-9 loss to Oakdale in the D3 championship. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 10 Rio Linda (8-2) at No. 7 Placer (Auburn) (8-2)Rio Linda, the TCC fourth-place team, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Knights have made 14 playoff appearances and own a 10-12 record. They won one championship, the 2004 D3 title, a 20-6 victory over Oakdale. Placer, the PVL champion, is in the playoffs for the seventh straight season and is looking to continue its six-year streak of victories in the first round. The Hillmen have five Section championships, all won between 1975-81; their last Section title game appearance was 2009. These teams have met in the playoffs before; Rio Linda beat Placer 32-12 in a Division II semifinal in 1998. That was the first year the Knights qualified for the playoffs and they made the championship game.
No. 15 Rosemont (Sacramento) (6-4) at No. 2 Sierra (Manteca) (9-1)Rosemont, the SVC runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight season and sixth time overall. The Wolverines have one playoff victory in school history – a 22-17 win over Del Campo in the 2010 D2 first round. Sierra, the VOL champion, is in the playoffs for the third straight season. It's the sixth postseason appearance for the Timberwolves, who sport a 4-5 record. Their last win came in the first round of the 2012 D3 tournament, a 28-8 victory over … Rosemont. That was the only previous playoff matchup between these teams.
DIVISION IV* Notes: There are two league champions in this division: No. 2 Sonora (Mother Lode League) and No. 3 Los Banos (Western Athletic Conference). … Defending champion Central Catholic – it went on to win state last year - is the No. 1 seed. … Three teams from the Golden Empire League are in this bracket. … None of these schools have ever previously faced their first-round opponent in the playoffs.
No. 8 Natomas (Sacramento) (6-4) at No. 1 Central Catholic (Modesto) (7-3)This is the largest contrast of playoff experience between opponents in the entire Section postseason. Natomas is 0-2 in its two appearances, while Central Catholic is 55-13 in 30 appearances, winning 17 championships along the way. Natomas, the GEL fourth-place team, last made the playoffs in 2009. Central Catholic, the VOL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the 14th straight season and is riding an eight-game postseason winning streak. The Raiders are two-time defending Section and CIF state small-school division champions.
No. 5 Center (Antelope) (6-4) at No. 4 Escalon (7-3)This game features two teams who call their mascots the Cougars. Center, the PVL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and 14th year overall. It advanced to the D4 semifinals last year, losing 19-15 to Hilmar. Escalon, the TVL runner-up, is in the postseason for the 17th straight year and 26th time overall. It has a 16-year streak of winning in the first round. Escalon boasts a 45-17 postseason record with eight championships, the last one coming in 2010.
No. 6 Dixon (6-4) at No. 3 Los Banos (8-2)Dixon, the GEL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the seventh straight season and 17th year overall. The Rams have lost six straight postseason games, their last victory coming in the 2008 D4 first round over Bear River. Dixon won two Section championships, in 1971 and 1974. Los Banos, the WAC champion, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Tigers advanced to the semifinals that year, falling 42-35 to Escalon in a wild four-overtime game. Los Banos has a 12-11 postseason record with two championships, won in 1988 and 1991.
No. 7 Marysville (7-3) at No. 2 Sonora (9-1)Marysville, the GEL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the second straight year. The Indians lost 75-0 to Central Catholic in their first round game last year. They've lost three postseason games in a row. Marysville does have a blue banner, though. It won it all in the D6 bracket in 2008. Sonora, the MLL champion, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Wildcats have a 13-17 record in 18 playoff appearances, with their one championship coming in 1995, a 24-13 win victory over Del Oro in Division II.
DIVISION V* Notes: There is one league champion in this division: No. 3 seed Mariposa out of the Southern League. … Defending champion Le Grand is here as a No. 5 seed; the Bulldogs travel to Hughson in the first round and enter the game riding a Section-best nine-game postseason winning streak. … The Southern League has three representatives in this eight-team bracket.
No. 8 Orestimba (Newman) (6-4) at No. 1 Bear River (Grass Valley) (8-2)Orestimba, the SL fifth-place team, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and the seventh time in school history. The Warriors are still searching for their first playoff victory. Orestimba made the postseason in 2010 and 2011, but before that had a 20-year gap between appearances. Bear River, the PVL runner-up, missed the playoffs last year but is back for its 16th appearance in school history. The Bruins, like Orestimba, have lost their last six playoff games. Bear River's last postseason victory was 37-15 over Weston Ranch in the 2005 D3 first round. It owns one Section championship banner, it won the 1994 D3 title, a 3-0 victory over Golden Sierra in overtime. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 5 Le Grand (7-3) at No. 4 Hughson (7-3)Le Grand, the SL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the eighth straight year and had the longest current postseason winning streak at nine games. The Bulldogs have won four Division V championships in a row. Hughson, the TVL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the third straight year. The Huskies have lost four playoff games in a row, their longest such streak in school history. In 14 playoff appearances, Hughson has an 18-10 record with four championships (1991, 1992, 1997 and 2000). These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 6 Amador (Sutter Creek) (6-4) at No. 3 Mariposa County (7-3)Amador, the MLL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight year and 15th time overall. The Buffaloes have lost five straight playoff games, with their last win coming in 2003, a 28-14 D4 victory over Marysville; they have a 3-14 overall postseason record. Mariposa, the Southern League champion, is back in the postseason for the second straight year and 19th time in school history. The Grizzlies have lost four playoff games in a row, with their last win coming in 2009 over Lindhurst in D5. They have an 8-17 overall postseason record with one Section championship: 9-7 over Le Grand in the 1995 D4 finale. These teams have never met in the playoffs.
No. 7 Summerville (Tuolumne) (6-4) at No. 2 Colfax (6-4)Summerville, the MLL fourth-place team, is back in the postseason after missing last year. The Bears are in the playoffs for the 12th time in school history, and are hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. Colfax, the PVL fourth-place team, is in the postseason for the second straight year and 19th time overall. The Falcons have had their share of playoff success with a 24-14 overall record and four championships won. Those championships came in 1986, 2001, 2002 and 2003. This game is a rematch of the 2001 Division IV championship game, which saw Colfax beat Summerville 30-0.
DIVISION VI* Notes: There are three league champions in this bracket: No. 1 Capital Christian (GEL), No. 2 Modesto Christian (TVL) and No. 3 Bradshaw Christian (SDL). … Bradshaw Christian is the defending champion, it beat Ripon Christian (also in this field) 35-28 last year. … The SDL has four representatives in this eight-team bracket. … None of these schools have ever previously faced their first-round opponent in the playoffs.
No. 8 Vacaville Christian (7-3) at No. 1 Capital Christian (Sacramento) (10-0)Vacaville Christian, the SDL fourth-place team, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Falcons are 5-6 in seven postseason appearances, including one championship. They won the D7 title in 2007, a 50-28 victory over now-defunct Calvary Temple. Capital Christian, the GEL champion, is in the playoffs for the third straight season and sixth time overall. The Cougars have lost their last two playoff games, and sport a 4-4 overall record with one championship. That title was the 2009 D5 championship, a 35-27 victory over Le Grand.
No. 5 Ripon Christian (8-2) at No. 4 Golden Sierra (Garden Valley) (8-2)Ripon Christian, the SL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and fifth overall. The Knights advanced to the D6 Section championship game last year, losing 35-28 to Bradshaw Christian. Golden Sierra, the SDL runner-up, is in the playoffs for the third straight year. Like RC, the Grizzlies are coming off a championship game appearance from last year, they lost 20-13 to Le Grand in the D5 game. Golden Sierra's only other Section championship appearance was in 1994's D3 game, a 3-0 loss to Bear River in overtime.
No. 6 Gustine (7-3) at No. 3 Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) (7-3)Gustine, the SL fourth-place team, returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Redskins are in the postseason for the ninth time in school history. They have one Section championship appearance, a 49-21 loss to Central Catholic in the 2002 D5 finale. That Gustine team was coached by current Downey coach Jeremy Plaa. Bradshaw Christian, the SDL champion and defending Section D6 champ, is in the playoffs for the eighth straight time and eighth time in school history. The Pride have a 10-3 overall postseason record with four championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013).
No. 7 Rio Vista (8-2) at No. 2 Modesto Christian (9-1)Rio Vista, the SDL third-place team, is in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and sixth time in school history. The Rams only have one playoff victory, a 54-15 win over Delta in the first round of the 2011 Division V tournament. Modesto Christian, the TVL champion, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The Crusaders' last postseason win was in 2009, a 61-40 D4 championship victory over Placer. That group, led by current Denver Bronco Isaiah Burse, went on to win the CIF small school state championship. MC has a 13-14 overall postseason record.
DIVISION VII* Notes: This is the only division with predetermined brackets. The two leagues with the smallest schools to play football comprise all of D7. … The last time the Section held a D7 championship was in 2008. That championship game saw Bradshaw Christian beat Vacaville Christian 27-25.
* Byes: CCAA #1
Elliot Christian (Lodi) (9-1), SMAL #1
Delta (Clarksburg) (6-4).
* CCAA #3
Brookside Christian (Stockton) (5-5) at SMAL #2
Woodland Christian (5-5): Brookside Christian is in the playoffs for the third straight year and 10th season overall. That's more playoff experience than any other school in this division. The Knights have a 7-7 overall postseason record with two championships (2010 and 2012). Woodland Christian is in the playoffs for the third straight year and third year in school history. The Cardinals are still searching for their first playoff victory.
* SMAL #3
Foresthill (3-7) at CCAA #2
Stone Ridge Christian (Merced) (8-2): Foresthill is in the playoffs for the fifth straight time and fifth appearance overall. The Wildfires have a 2-4 overall record with two championship appearances; in both of those championships (2011 and 2012), they lost. Stone Ridge Christian made the playoffs for the first time in school history last year, losing 50-20 to Ripon Christian. The Knights already own a 49-0 win earlier this season over SMAL champion Delta, who plays the winner of this game.
Note: If you have any questions about the upcoming playoffs, contact Will DeBoard at wdeboard@cifsjs.org or (209) 334-5900 ext. 21.
