Le Grand powers it way past Mariposa to section finals. Hilmar will also play for title.
The Le Grand High football team relied on their two running backs and their offensive line to run past Mariposa 37-20 as the two longtime rivals squared off in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII semifinals on Friday night at Le Grand High School.
Louie Aguallo scored four touchdowns and Isacc Davison rushed for 148 yards and a touchdowns as the No. 3 seeded Bulldogs (7-5) advanced to next week’s championship game against No. 1 Woodland Christian on Friday at 2 p.m. at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Sacramento City College.
It’s Le Grand’s first championship game appearance since winning a fourth consecutive championship in 2013.
Friday’s postseason matchup was the 102nd time Le Grand and Mariposa have played in the 88-year history of the rivalry. It was the first playoff meeting since Mariposa defeated Le Grand 9-7 in the 1995 section championship game.
The Bulldogs struck first after a 24-yard touchdown run by Davison in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies responded on the ensuing kickoff when Apollos Powell returned the kick 89 yards for a score to tie the game at 7-7.
Aguallo scored on touchdown runs of 10 and 3 yards in the second quarter to open up a 21-7 lead for the Bulldogs at halftime.
Aguallo added scoring runs of 1 and 12 yards in the second half to hold off No. 7 Mariposa (6-6). Aguallo finished with 92 yards on 26 carries.
Wyatt Green threw two second-half touchdowns for Mariposa.
Hilmar 41, Casa Roble 8 — The No. 6 seeded Yellowjackets steamrolled the No. 7 Rams from start the finish.
Quarterback Jason Pimentel and running back Broc Perry both scored two first-half touchdowns to help Hilmar (11-3) build a 34-0 lead by halftime.
Perry added a third touchdown run in the second half as the game finished with a running clock.
Hilmar advances to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game against No. 1 Escalon on Saturday at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton.
The Cougars defeated the Yellowjackets 24-14 on Oct. 1. Escalon defeated Ripon 34-10 on Friday night to advance to the championship game.
Argonaut 37, Livingston 24 — The No. 3 seeded Wolves (7-5) saw their playoff run come to an end.
Livingston’s explosive offense was held in check early as the Mustangs built a 30-9 lead.
The Wolves managed to put together a couple scoring drives late, but it’s Argonaut moving on to next week’s championship game against No. 5 Rosemont, which upset No. 1 Bradshaw Christian 18-13.
