After winning the Bloss Bowl, the Buhach Colony football team kneeled in a group for a postgame talk.
Just before Coach Kevin Swartwood addressed the team, some of the players shouted, “Do it, Tyler. Let’s see it.”
Thunder senior Tyler Davis then did his celebratory standing backflip.
If he had a backflip in him, Swartwood might have done the same thing Saturday when he saw Buhach Colony’s draw in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 playoffs.
“The key word is if,” Swartwood joked.
The Thunder’s 10-0 record gave BC the top seed and what should be a clear path to at least the semifinals.
Buhach Colony will be heavy favorites against Lodi on Friday after beating the Flames easily 42-7 in Week 4 on Sept. 16. Another win puts the Thunder against the winner of Downey-Del Campo game. It’s another matchup Buhach Colony should win handily.
“Honestly, we like where we’re at,” Swartwood said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and think past the first week, but if we’re fortunate to advance we know what the next scenario is looming for us.
“In the playoffs I believe anybody can beat anybody, but I can say we’ll be disappointed if we don’t at least make the semifinals.”
Buhach Colony shouldn’t be the only area team happy with its draw.
Here’s a closer look at the playoff brackets local teams will be trying to work their way through.
Division 2
Favorites: Buhach Colony (10-0), Elk Grove (10-0)
Contenders: Vacaville (9-1), St. Mary's (8-2)
Darkhorse: Folsom (8-2)
Outlook: The Thunder's road could have been substantially more difficult if Grant had dropped from Division 1 to 2.
If Sacramento had lost to McClatchy on Saturday, Grant would have dropped into Division 2 as the No. 9 seed. That could have created a Grant-BC matchup in the second round. And that's not really a reward for a top seed.
Fortunately for BC, Sacramento won and Grant is in Division 1.
The Thunder should cruise to the semifinals where it will likely face either Vacaville or St. Mary's. Either way, it would be a fun matchup.
Buhach Colony has to like Folsom being on the other side of the bracket, especially after giving up 48 points to Golden Valley's spread offense.
The Thunder have a great shot to go deep into the playoffs. A section title wouldn't be shocking.
Division 3
Favorite: Del Oro (9-1)
Contender: Oakdale (10-0)
Dark Horse: Los Banos (9-1)
Outlook: There are many people who feel Del Oro is the best team in the section. The Golden Eagles' only blemish was a 30-27 loss to Westlake, which is ranked No. 2 in Southern California by CalHisports.
Los Banos has to love it's spot at No. 4 on the other side of the bracket.
The Tigers have won nine straight and have a legitimate shot to advance to the semifinals. That would set up an intriguing match with Oakdale.
The Tigers could be sticking around awhile.
Division 4
Favorite: Escalon (10-0)
Contenders: Colfax (10-0), Hilmar (8-2).
Darkhorse: Central Catholic (8-2)
Other local team: Livingston (5-5).
Outlook: The section seeding comittee bumped Hilmar up to the No. 3 seed to keep the Yellowjackets on the opposite side of the bracket of Escalon. Hilmar seems headed for a semifinal clash with Colfax and possibly a rematch with Escalon in the finals.
After a week of rest, Livingston has a good chance to upset No. 6 Ripon in the first round. Ripon's two losses have come to physical teams in Escalon and Hilmar.
Division 5
Favorite: Le Grand (10-0)
Contenders: None.
Other local team: Mariposa (6-4)
Outlook: The Bulldogs are the heavy favorites. Le Grand has outscored its last eight opponents 506-64.
Nobody looks equipped to slow down Le Grand. Don't be surprised to see a Mariposa-Le Grand rematch in the section title game if the Grizzlies can win on the road against Highlands this week.
The Bulldogs could be the first local team to play in a state bowl if things fall their way.
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