From the North: EscalonEscalon, under coach Mark Loureiro, has been one of the premier programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section for the past 20 years, winning section titles in 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2010. At 13-1, the Cougars defeated last year's small school state champion Modesto Christian and small school power Central Catholic on their way to winning the Division IV championship. The Cougars have a brutal running attack, led by junior
Josh Miguel who has gained 1,747 yards with 25 touchdowns. As SJS champs, Escalon is already the front-runner but will go toe-to-toe during the selection process with Friday's North Coast Section D3 winner between Encinal (Alameda) and Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa). Encinal (12-1) upset previous No. 1 Marin Catholic (Kentfield) last week and fast-charging Newman is a two-time Bowl participant.
From the South: Washington Union (Fresno)The Central Section has never had a representative in the state bowl games and with Valley Center's loss to Madison in the San Diego Section playoffs (and Dos Palos' loss to Coalinga in the Central Section playoffs), the Panthers rise to the No. 1 spot. Madison will likely get a lot of support since it has just one loss compared to Washington Union's two; however, the Panthers' two losses are by a combined two points, 34-33 to Kingsburg and 42-41 to Dos Palos. Of course the Panthers must still defeat Coalinga, a team that upset Dos Palos in the Central Section Division IV semifinals. Washington Union has one of the state's top small school passers in
Sean Stell, who has thrown for 2,639 yards and 23 touchdowns. The two schools are also separated by just over 100 miles, making it the closest matchup between NorCal and SoCal opponents. If getting Central or San Diego sections squads in isn't a factor, then Southern Section powers Paraclete and Garden Grove, both which most win this weekend, are strong possibilities.
