‘There’s a lot of excitement.’ Livingston hosting first playoff game in over 30 years
For the first time in 31 years, the Livingston High football team will host a playoff game on Friday night when Waterford comes to town.
Wolves head coach Alex Gonzalez says there is a buzz in town and on campus about the game.
“People have been congratulated us, they’ve been talking to all of our coaches,” Gonzalez said. “Old alumni who I haven’t talked to in decades have been reaching out to me. It’s cool to see. There’s a lot of excitement, especially in the community and around the high school.”
The Wolves (6-4) are one of five Merced-area teams still alive in the playoffs. Merced, Hilmar, Le Grand and Mariposa will also be in action on Friday night.
“The cool part is our kids know there is a buzz about the game, but winning the game is the most important thing,” Gonzalez said.
The third-seeded Wolves will face a No. 6 seeded Wildcats team that won the Southern League championship and is 10-1 on the season.
Waterford defeated Summerville 48-25 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs last week. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Aaron Adams, who passed for 1,943 yards and 29 touchdowns this season and rushed for 957 yards and 11 scores.
“(Waterford) likes to play fast and they are efficient,” Gonzalez said. “We have to contain their quarterback in the pocket. He’s a good athlete who throws well outside the tackles.”
Livingston counters with their own talented quarterback in Rocklin Baptista, who has passed for 1,177 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 559 yards on the ground with six scores.
Wolves running back Carlos Baez has rushed for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns on 100 carries this season.
The Wolves enter the postseason with the confidence they can play with anybody in the bracket after surviving the rigorous Trans-Valley League. Livingston has played teams like Escalon, Hilmar and Ripon tough.
“The good thing is our confidence has been high all year,” Gonzalez said. “We feel like we’re prepared with every game we’ve played. We feel we have a chance to win every game and that is rolling over to the playoffs.”
Division V
Hilmar (9-2) at Sonora (6-3)
The Yellowjackets are playing their second playoff rematch in consecutive weeks after defeating Los Banos for the second time this season with a 61-27 victory in the first round last week.
Hilmar handed the Wildcats a 28-21 loss on Sept. 10.
The Yellowjackets offense has been rolling the past four games since making the move to Jason Pimentel at quarterback. Hilmar has outscored its last four opponents 203 to 27.
Division VII
Big Valley Christian (4-6) at Le Grand (5-5)
The No. 3 seeded Bulldogs open the playoffs at home against the Central California Athletic Alliance champions.
Le Grand has a lethal duo in quarterback Julian Bucio and receiver Carlos Castaneda. Bucio has thrown for 1,799 yards and 25 touchdowns. His favorite target Castaneda has hauled in 41 catches for 709 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The No. 6 Lions are led by senior Caleb McMahon who has rushed for 739 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games.
Mariposa (5-5) at Vacaville Christian (9-1)
The No. 7 Grizzlies have been up and down this season. They’ll face the second-seeded Falcons which has two forfeit wins and two wins over Southern League teams Denair and Gustine.
Mariposa is led by quarterback Wyatt Green, who has passed for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 12:37 PM.
