KEITH YAMAMOTO

Patterson linebacker-running back

In a game that featured ball control and field position, Yamamoto kept the Tigers offense moving with 106 yards on 23 carries in Patterson's 12-7 victory over Escalon in their Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinal last Friday night.

Yamamoto, also one of the area's top linebackers, had 14 tackles as well. He leads Patterson with 109 tackles -- 66 of them unassisted -- and has two interceptions. Offensively, he's rushed for 520 yards and seven touchdowns for the 11-1 Tigers.

"He's a coach on the field," Patterson coach Rob Cozart said. "He's one of our leaders.

"He's just been huge for us down the stretch."

He and Patterson will play in the program's first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game against Western Athletic Conference champion Central Catholic at the University of the Pacific at 1 p.m.

-- WILL DeBOARD