SJS football playoffs open a day early
FAIRFIELD — Call it Thursday Night Lights.
Three area high school football teams — Rodriguez, Vacaville and Rio Vista — open the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs tonight, wishing to avoid playing on Veteran’s Day.
If seedings and earlier meetings mean anything, none of the games figures to be close, but Vanden’s upset of Manteca as a 16th seed over a No. 1 last year makes anything possible.
In Division II, fourth-seeded Vacaville (9-1) entertains No. 13 Roseville (5-5) in a game that majorly concerns Bulldogs coach Mike Papadopoulos. The Tigers’s five losses were to teams with a combined 41-9 record.
“They do things well,” Papadopoulos said. “They’re the most dangerous 5-5 team in the playoffs. . . . They beat the teams they were supposed to and made it close with some good teams for a while. We’re making sure no stones are unturned.”
Of preparations for playing Roseville a day early, the Bulldogs coach said, “This short week is short. It’s like trying to cram 10 pounds of information into a 5-pound bag, Our kids have been super, very attentive. Cramming for a test is the best way to describe it.”
If the Tigers are an unknown foe — Vacaville opened in 1895, Roseville in 1912 and the schools have never played each other — Rio Vista’s problem is familiarity.
The Rams (8-2) are seeded fourth in Division V and host arch-rival and fifth-seeded Delta of Clarksburg (6-4), a team they demolished 54-8 in the season opener back on Aug. 26.
“We know each other pretty well,” Rio Vista coach Cliff Malta said. “It’s a weird game for us. We’re making stuff up on the run to get them motivated, the game was so easy the first one. They don’t realize anything can happen. We’re trying to get them motivated so they don’t look past them. If we play our game it shouldn’t be an issue. If we come out flat, anything can happen.”
Having outgained the Saints 508-126 the first time around, Malta has a point.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez (5-5) has the toughest test of all, going in as the 15th seeds in Division I against No. 2 Pleasant Grove (9-1) at Sheldon High of Sacramento.
The Eagles are ranked 12th in the state, third in Northern California and first in the Sac-Joaquin Section by Calhisports.com.
“They are a powerhouse,” Ott said. “They have a strong offensive line. They got a lot of talent up there. We’re going to prepare our defense, try to make some changes. Hopefully, we can maintain the line of scrimmage.”
On Friday, Vanden plays at Los Banos in Division III, while Vacaville Christian plays Elliot Christian of Lodi at Lincoln of Stockton in Division VI.
Reach Paul Farmer at 425-4646 Ext. 264 or pfarmer@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=106483
Posted by Paul Farmer
on Nov 9 2011.
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