Football roundup: Merced-area teams battle in SJS quarterfinals
The Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals delivered statement wins, season-defining performances and heartbreaking endings for Merced-area programs Friday night.
The marquee game came at Cathie Hostetler Stadium, where Merced — one of the final undefeated teams anywhere in the region — saw its season end in a 26-25 thriller against defending champion Vanden.
Elsewhere, Hilmar rolled at home to reach the Division V semifinals, Lathrop collected one of the program’s biggest postseason wins, and Denair stunned Mariposa County on the road with one of the section’s top small-school upsets of the night. Stone Ridge Christian and Le Grand fell in Division VII.
Here is a full look at scores and details from around the area:
Division V
No. 2 Hilmar 41, No. 7 Rio Linda 13
Hilmar dominated from the second quarter on, scoring 41 straight points after an early Rio Linda touchdown. The Yellowjackets leaned heavily on their run game and explosive plays, setting up a Division V semifinal matchup next week.
It was also career win No. 199 for veteran coach Frank Marques.
Hilmar hosts high-powered No. 3 Sutter next Friday.
No. 6 Lathrop 28, No. 3 Lincoln 21
Lathrop delivered one of the night’s strongest road wins, knocking off the third seed to reach the semifinals. The Spartans controlled the pace offensively and made key defensive stops in the fourth quarter. The victory sends Lathrop to one of the program’s biggest postseason games in school history.
Division VI
No. 6 Denair 33, No. 3 Mariposa County 28
Denair did not forget their October overtime loss to Mariposa. This time, the Coyotes went on the road to beat third-seeded Mariposa County in another thriller. The Coyotes traded scores early before taking the lead in the second half and holding on late. Denair now advances to the Division VI semifinals to take on No. 1 Calaveras.
Division VII
No. 7 Linden 21, No. 2 Stone Ridge Christian 13
Stone Ridge Christian’s season ended in a home loss to Linden. The Lions made several momentum-swinging plays in the passing game and held off the Knights’ late push. SRC closes the season with another top-tier seed in Division VII.
No. 4 Calaveras 33, No. 5 Le Grand 6
Le Grand couldn’t slow down the Calaveras run game in a road loss. The Red Hawks controlled the line of scrimmage, converting long drives into points while holding the Bulldogs to just one score. Calaveras hosts Denair next Friday.
