Athlete of week: Branson Angle

BRANSON ANGLEWaterford running back

• What he did: With halfback Dylan Gonzalez on his way to the hospital with a knee injury, Angle stepped into the starring role and produced 133 yards, two TDs and a two-point conversion as the top-seeded Wildcats topped Highlands 28-12 for a spot in Saturday's Sac-Joaquin Section D5 championship game. Angle had TD runs of 15 and 5 yards, and his PAT run gave Waterford a 22-8 halftime lead. He had just 54 carries in 10 regular-season games, before getting 31 Friday.

• What it means: Angle will be a workhorse again, but the 5-8, 185-pounder has the size and strength to handle another heavy workout.

• What's next: No. 1 Waterford (9-2) faces Southern League rival Le Grand (10-2).

— RICHARD T. ESTRADA