photos by Charlie McDonald (charlie.mcdonald@surewestsports.com)
by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
Friday night's CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship game looked a lot like last year's version of the game with one exception, no rain.
Last year the Del Oro Golden Eagles and the Oakdale Mustangs met up at Sacramento State University in the section title game, and last year Del Oro took a 7-0 lead to the half before eventually prevailing, 21-0.
This year the script was nearly the same. Del Oro and Oakdale squared off at Sacramento State for the title, and once again a defensive slugfest had Del Oro going to the break with a 7-0 advantage.
A pair of third quarter touchdown runs (26, 29 yards) by Del Oro's Brandon Monroe (138 yards) gave the Golden Eagles some breathing room, up 21-0 heading to the fourth.
Despite an early fourth quarter touchdown by Oakdale, the Del Oro defense stepped up and got the big plays when they needed them, including fourth quarter interceptions by Russell Smith and Nick O'Sullivan that helped secure a 21-7 victory over the Mustangs.
The win was Del Oro eighth football section title, and the third under head coach Casey Taylor.
"We always hoped to run the ball, and I think that's what happened," said Taylor. "Our line did a great job early and often. I knew that once we got locked in we would be fine. Our backs are good, and our line grinds people. We didn't make any mistakes on offense and our defense got some turnovers."
For Taylor, it was his 100th win as head coach for Del Oro, and something the team was well aware of.
"He (Taylor) mentioned it (100 wins) all week in film," said quarterback Bobby Heatherington.
"I feel great. I just wanted to get this win for Coach Birch and Coach T," said linebacker Alex Mason.
As usual, the always humble Taylor gave credit to others.
"I have a tremendous staff with Steve Birch," said Taylor. "Steve did a great job and has all year long. Our staff is awesome. Our town. I feel very fortunate."
The game didn't see it's first score until there was 3:25 left in the opening half and that's when Del Oro running back Nick O'Sullivan (127 yards) found a big hole up the right side and raced 25-yards for a touchdown.
"Coach T was deciding what play to run. I said 'let run a stretch', so we did, it was wide open, and it felt just amazing going in," said O'Sullivan.
While the Del Oro offense managed only three touchdowns, several drives were kept alive thanks to Heatherington who completed several passes on critical third downs plays.
"Without the third down plays, coming out of half, we wouldn't have had another touchdown. It's a critical play," said Heatherington.
The only time Oakdale appeared to have some momentum came when the Mustangs cut the lead to 21-7 with 10:36 left in the fourth, and then followed up the score by recovering an onside kick. Two minutes later, Russell Smith intercepted an Oakdale pass in the end zone, putting an end to the threat.
"I saw the ball coming in, and I knew I had to make a big play," said Smith.
Whether it was a key interception, or a big hit, Del Oro's defense rose to the occasion yet again in a big game. In all four playoff games, Del Oro allowed just 19 points.
"The guys are outstanding," said Birch. "They perfected the game plan. These guys are selfless. They don't try to make all the plays, they just do their job."
Now that Del Oro (13-1) has won the big game, it's up to the section commissioners to determine whether or not Del Oro will receive a Division II State Bowl bid.
State Bowl bid selections will be announced on November 11, but if you ask the guys from Del Oro, they have more than earned a trip to Carson, California on December 17.
"This is a special group, and we want to go to that next level, State," said Monroe.
"I think we deserve it," said linebacker Tanner Huber. "We lost to the number team in the State in overtime. I think we deserve it."
"We feel we have done all we can do. We played a great schedule, undefeated in league. I can't say enough about our guys," said Taylor.
"We should go because we're one of the best teams in State," said offensive lineman Zack Heath.