Sac-Joaquin Section football playoff notes

Editor's note: Before Will DeBoard took over his position as Director of Communications for the Sac-Joaquin Section about 18 months ago, he was one of the best and brightest prep sports writers in California. He put together the following Sac-Joaquin Section second-round football playoffs notes and we're lucky enough to share them. See bracket.

* Official name for this year's playoffs is: CIF Sac-Joaquin Section/Les Schwab Tires Football Championships Presented by Farmers Insurance.

* The Division V and VI finals will be played at the Grape Bowl in Lodi on Saturday, November 26. The Division VI final will be at noon and the Division V final is at 6 p.m.

* Division IV final will be played at Lincoln High School in Stockton on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

* Division I, II and III finals will be played at Sacramento State. Games will be played Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday, December 3 (1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.). Divisions will be decided later.

There were a handful of upsets in the first round. Three teams with double-digit seeds won. Those teams were: #14 Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) beat #3 Manteca 14-0 in Division 3, #13 Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) beat #4 Burbank in Division 1 and #11 Livingston beat #6 Ripon in Division 4. Also, Vacaville Christian, the #6 seed in a six-team bracket, beat Elliot Christian 74-14 in Division 6.

* Several interesting matchups abound throughout the second round. Division 1 features Pitman at Pleasant Grove, a matchup of two 10-1 teams. Division 2 includes #5 St. Mary's at #4 Vacaville as well as #6 Folsom at #3 Inderkum. All four of these teams have a strong postseason history. Division 3 includes #7 Placer at #2 Del Oro, two schools from the same school district. In Division 4, #8 Sonora, a perennial Valley Oak League contender, travels down Highway 108 to #1 Escalon. These teams haven't played since the 1950s or ‘60s, according to administrators from both sides.

* Stand up and take a bow, Sierra Delta League. Four teams from the SDL remain in the playoffs after the first round; it's the most of any league. Three leagues – all in Divisions 1-4 – have three teams remaining. They are the Delta River League, Delta Valley Conference, Sierra Valley Conference and Western Athletic Conference.

* While eight of the top 10 winningest playoff teams were victorious last week, six teams won their first playoff games -- Franklin-EG, Beyer, Vista del Lago, Cosumnes Oaks, Liberty Ranch and Ripon Christian. Interestingly, three of the six hail from the same league, the Sierra Valley Conference.

DIVISION 1

#9 Franklin-Elk Grove (8-3) at #1 Lincoln-Stockton (10-1): Lincoln is 27-21 in 23 postseason appearances, winning the D1 title in 2000. The coach of that team was Mike Johnson, currently the coach at Franklin-EG. This is the fifth time in six years the Trojans have advanced to the second round. Franklin-EG won its first playoff game in five appearances last week, when it beat Nevada Union 41-16. It's the third straight year the Wildcats have made the postseason. Lincoln-S is the San Joaquin Athletic Association champion, while Franklin-EG placed third in the Delta Valley Conference. These teams have not faced each other in the postseason.

#13 Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (7-4) at #5 Granite Bay (9-2): This marks the second straight year the No. 13 seed beat the No. 4 in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs. Last year, it was McNair beating Franklin-EG 32-28. The Trojans finished in a three-way tie for third in the Delta River League. Oak Ridge carries a 21-18 playoff record into this game, and is in the second round for the first time since 2004. Oak Ridge won Section D2 titles in 1998 and 2002-04. Granite Bay, the SFL runner-up, features a 21-9 playoff record in 13 appearances. The Grizzlies are in the second round for the eighth time in the last nine years. The program boasts three Section titles, D2 crowns won in 1999, 2000 and 2007. These schools have met in the playoffs four times – a four-year stretch from 2000-2003 – and are 2-2 against each other. These schools are only 13 miles apart, one of the shortest drives of the second round.

#6 Grant-Sacramento (8-3) vs. #3 Bethel-Vallejo (10-1) at Vallejo HS: Grant has a lengthy and storied postseason history. The Pacers come into this game with a 45-21 career record (second most wins and most total games played), including a 6-1 record in Section championship games. Grant, the Delta Valley Conference runner-up, has won nine of its last 11 postseason games. Its lone Section final loss came last year, when Folsom beat the Pacers 41-20 in the D2 title game. Bethel, the Solano County Athletic Conference champion, has a 5-9 career record in 10 appearances. The Jaguars have advanced to one Section championship game, a 42-13 loss to Rodriguez in the 2007 D3 game. That year was also the last time Bethel made it into the second round. These teams haven't played each other in the postseason.

#7 Pitman (Turlock) (10-1) vs. #2 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) (10-1) at Sheldon HS: Pitman, the Central California Conference runner-up, is in the playoffs for the sixth time in school history. For the third time, the Pride is into the second round. Pitman's last playoff win before this year was in 2007; it was a 51-21 victory over Beyer in the D1 first round. Pleasant Grove, the Delta River League champion, is looking to defend the D1 championship it won in 2010 when it beat crosstown rival Monterey Trail 21-6. The Eagles are 11-3 in five playoff appearances and are 1-1 in Section championships. Their loss came in 2008, a 36-14 setback to St. Mary's. These teams have never played in the playoffs.

DIVISION 2

#9 Del Campo (Fair Oaks) (8-3) vs. #1 Buhach Colony (Atwater) (11-0) at Atwater HS: Del Campo, the Capital Valley Conference runner-up, is back in the second round after losing early last year. The Cougars won D3 championships in 2006 and 2009, and have evened their career record at 12-12 in 15 postseason appearances. Del Campos has won five of its last six playoff games. Buhach Colony, the No. 1 seed after completing a 10-0 regular season for the second straight year, won the Central California Conference title. The Thunder are in the playoffs for the third straight year and third time in school history. Last year, Buhach Colony got to the D2 semifinals before losing 55-20 to eventual champion Folsom. These teams are meeting in the playoffs for the first time.

#5 St. Mary's (Stockton) (9-2) at #4 Vacaville (10-1): St. Mary's, the Tri-City Athletic League champion, is in the playoffs for the 10th straight year and is in the second round for the fifth consecutive time. The Rams are 26-19 in 22 postseason appearances and have won two championships: the 2004 and 2008 D1 titles. Vacaville, the Monticello Empire League champion, is in the playoffs for the sixth straight year and in the second round for the third time in a row. The Bulldogs won the 2006 D1 championship, a 37-36 barnburner over Merced. These teams have met in the postseason once before, all the way back to 1985, where Vacaville beat St. Mary's 36-0 in a second round game.

#6 Folsom (9-2) at #3 Inderkum (Sacramento) (10-1): Folsom, the defending Section and State D2 champion, was the Delta River League runner-up. The Bulldogs are 14-7 in 11 playoff appearances, with three championships to their credit: the 1989 D3 title, the 1990 D2 championship, and last year's crown. Folsom is riding a five-game playoff winning streak. It's no surprise that Inderkum, the Tri-County Conference champion, is in the second round. In all six of the Tigers' postseason appearances, they've advanced to the second round. Inderkum is 9-5 in those six years, including Section championship appearances in 2008 and 2009. These teams have never met in the playoffs.

#7Beyer (Modesto) (9-2) at #2 Elk Grove (11-0): Beyer, the Modesto Metro Conference champion, earned its first-ever Section playoff victory last week with a 23-21 win over Stagg. That game was a wild one, as the Delta Kings took the lead with 47 seconds left, then the Patriots drove the length of the field and scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play. The Patriots lost in the first round in 2006 and 2007, their only previous appearances. Elk Grove, the Delta Valley Conference champion, returns to the second round for the first time since 2007. The Thundering Herd has a 32-20 career record in 26 postseason appearances. The Herd has five Section championships, all Division I: 1984, 1991, 1997, 1998 and 2001. These teams have no postseason history with each other.

DIVISION 3

#8 Vista del Lago (Folsom) (8-3) at #1 Oakdale (11-0): Vista del Lago, the Sierra Valley Conference co-champion, won its first playoff game in school history when it held off Woodland in a 25-21 victory last week. Last year, the Eagles lost to Livingston in overtime in the D4 first round. Oakdale, the Valley Oak League champion, has a 25-17 record in 19 playoff appearances. The Mustangs have two football championship blue banners hanging in their gym: 1996 (D2) and 2007 (D4). Oakdale got to last year's D3 championship game, a 21-0 loss to Del Oro.

#5 Casa Roble (Orangevale) (9-2) at #4 Los Banos (10-1): Casa Roble, the Capital Valley Conference champion, is in the second round for the fourth straight year. The Rams have an 8-9 record in 11 appearances, and they won the 2008 D3 championship, capping a 13-0 season. Most of Casa Roble's playoff success has come recently, as the school's first win came in 2006 and they haven't missed the postseason since. Los Banos, the Western Athletic Conference champion, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight year and into the second round for the second time in three years. The Tigers are 10-9 in 12 playoff appearances, winning D2 championships in 1988 and 1991. These teams have never met in the playoffs.

#14 Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (8-3) at #6 Whitney (Rocklin) (9-2): This marks the second straight year the No. 14 seed has advanced into the second round in the Division 3 bracket. Last year, it was Whitney with the big first-round upset. This year, the Wildcats are playing upstart Cosumnes Oaks, which shut out No. 3 seed Manteca in the first round. Cosumnes Oaks, which finished in a tie for third place in the Sierra Valley Conference, is in the playoffs for the first time. Whitney, the Capital Athletic League champion, is in the playoffs for the fifth straight time and in the second round for the fourth time during that stretch. The Wildcats won the 2008 D4 championship game, beating Placer 35-14.

#7 Placer (Auburn) (9-2) at #2 Del Oro (Loomis) (10-1): These schools are from the same school district, and are only about 10 miles apart. But they haven't faced each other on the football field since they were both members of the Sierra Foothill League in 2005. The Hillmen, the Pioneer Valley League runners-up, are in the playoffs for the fourth straight time and it's also the fourth time in a row they've made the second round. Placer, with a 20-8 record in 14 playoff appearances, won Section titles in 1975-77 and 1980-81. Del Oro, the Sierra Foothill League champion, is the defending Section Division 3 champ as well. The Golden Eagles are 37-14 over 22 playoff appearance and have won seven Section titles. They've made six championship appearances in the 2000s, winning two (2005, 2010).

DIVISION 4

#8 Sonora (8-3) at #1 Escalon (11-0): Sonora, the Valley Oak League's third-place team, is in the playoffs for the third straight time and in the second round for the second time in three years. The Wildcats have a 13-16 career record in 18 appearances, with their lone Section title coming in the 1995 D2 game. Escalon, the Trans-Valley League champion, won the Section Division IV and State Championship Division III Bowl game last year. The Cougars own the state's longest current winning streak at 23 games. Escalon has a 39-14 career playoff record over 23 appearances, with eight Section titles during that span. Despite their lengthy playoff histories, this is the first postseason meeting between the two.

#5 Central Catholic (Modesto) (9-2) at #4 Argonaut (Jackson) (10-1): Central Catholic, the Western Athletic Conference runner-up, is in the playoffs and also into the second round for the 11th straight time. The Raiders have a 46-12 record (most playoff wins in Section history and the highest winning percentage) over 28 playoff appearances and have won a Section-record 15 championships. Their last title won was in the 2007 D5 game. Argonaut, the Mother Lode League champion, is 7-10 in 12 playoff appearances. The Mustangs are in the second round for the second straight season. The program's only Section title came in 2004, when the Mustangs beat Linden 17-0 in the D4 championship. Argonaut and Central Catholic met in the first round of the 2009 D4 playoffs, a 51-24 Raiders victory.

#11 Livingston (6-5) at #3 Hilmar (9-2): Livingston finished in a fourth-place tie in the Western Athletic Conference, then surprised #6 Ripon in the first round. This is the second time in a row Livingston has made the second round and the third time in school history. The Wolves won the 1990 D3 championship game, beating Escalon 28-21. Hilmar, the Trans-Valley League runner-up, is in the playoffs for the fourth straight year. It's the Yellowjackets' first trip to the second round since they won the 2008 D5 title. Hilmar boasts a 24-17 career record in 23 appearances, including four championships. The other four titles came in a four-year stretch under legendary coach Jerry Van Lengen, from 1986-89. These schools are closer to each other than any other second-round foes; it's a short trip of nine miles down Bloss Avenue from Livingston to Hilmar.

#7 Liberty Ranch (Galt) (8-3) at #2 Colfax (11-0): Liberty Ranch, the Sierra Valley Conference co-champion, is in the playoffs for the first time and currently holds a 1-0 career record after beating Calaveras 48-35 in the first round. Colfax, the Pioneer Valley League champion, is in the second round for the second straight year. The Falcons have a 23-12 career record in 17 playoff appearances, including four championships. Those championships came in these years: 1986 (D3), 2001 (D4) and 2002-03 (D3). Colfax's last appearance in a Section championship game was the 2006 D4 game, a loss to Manteca.

DIVISION 5

#4 Rio Vista (9-2) at #1 Le Grand (10-0): Rio Vista, the Sierra Delta League third-place team, joins the second round for the first time since 1979. Of course, the Rams have spent much of that time in the Northern Section, only recently returning to the SJS. Rio Vista beat district-rival Delta 54-15 in the first round. Le Grand, the Southern League champion, had a first-round bye. The Bulldogs won last year's D5 championship and own the state's second-longest current winning streak at 19; Escalon is tops at 22.

#3 Highlands (North Highlands) (9-2) at #2 Millennium (Tracy) (10-0): Highlands is in the second round for the third straight season. Last year, the Scots advanced to the Section D5 championship game, a 61-7 loss to Le Grand. Highlands, the Sierra Delta League runner-up, have a 10-7 record over eight playoff appearances. Millennium, the Central California Athletic Alliance champion, is in the playoffs for the third straight year. The Falcons made the second round in 2009. Highlands and Millennium met in the first round of last year's playoffs, a 47-0 victory for the Scots.

DIVISION 6

#4 Ripon Christian (Ripon) (7-4) at #1 Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) (9-1): Ripon Christian, which finished in a second-place tie in the Southern League, is in the playoffs for the second time in school history, and last week's 60-28 victory over ROP/Sierra Ridge in the first round is the Knights' first postseason win. In their only other appearance, Delhi beat RC 17-10 in the 2005 D5 first round. Bradshaw Christian, the Sierra Delta League champion, received a first-round bye. The Pride has played in Section championship games the last three years. In 2008 and 2009, Bradshaw Christian won it all, while it lost to Brookside Christian in last year's finale. The Pride has won seven of its last eight playoff games.

#6 Vacaville Christian (Vacaville) (7-4) at #2 Foresthill (9-1): Vacaville Christian took fifth place in the Sierra Delta League, but is riding a lot of momentum after beating Elliot Christian 74-14 in last week's first round game. The Falcons are in the playoffs for the sixth straight year, and played in Section title games for a three-year span from 2006-08. They won it all in D7 in 2007. Foresthill, the Sacramento Metro Athletic League champion, is in the playoffs for the second straight time and second time in school history. The Wildfire lost, 33-0, to Big Valley Christian in last year's D6 first round.