Oakdale celebrates D-III section title but believes best is to come

Oakdale High football coach Trent Merzon clutched the blue championship banner, feeling every fiber in his hand.

Merzon has won four Sac-Joaquin Section titles in a decorated 17-year career, but Friday’s triumph in the Division III final recognized the Mustangs’ unique path to the mountaintop.

Oakdale began the season “scared” in a loss to rival Sonora, said senior defensive end Cullen Bearden, but have transformed into a state title contender over the last five weeks.

They’ll get their shot, too.

Running back Will Semone continued his postseason tear, rushing for 337 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-14 victory over third-seeded Christian Brothers at Lincoln High’s Spanos Stadium.

“This one is special,” Merzon said. “We made this comment after we beat Central Catholic: Beating Central and winning a league title was awesome, but if we wanted to differentiate ourselves in this program, in this school, in this town, then we had to finish it. There was no way we could get on this stage and lose. Our kids just play at a pace that is unique.”

The Mustangs finished with authority, scoring the final 44 points to running-clock the Capital Athletic League champions. Bearden applied the exclamation point, returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.

“It’s the best feeling ever, just knowing we won the blue banner,” Bearden said. “When that clock hit zero and we could go out on that field and celebrate …

“I can’t even explain the feeling.”

The title is Oakdale’s fifth and fourth under Merzon, whose mastery of the Wing-T has produced record results this fall.

Playing his first and only season in a Mustang uniform, Semone has developed quickly into an all-timer.

With his first carry on Friday, Semone became just the 17th player in Stanislaus District history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He has 2,334 yards, which places him fifth on the all-time list.

The Central Catholic transfer will add to that total next week when the Mustangs play in a CIF Northern California Regional Bowl Game for the third time in six seasons. The pairings will be announced on the CIF State website Sunday.

Semone has rushed for 1,162 yards in four postseason games, and he’s showing no signs off slowing down.

He had nine runs of 10 or more yards, and finished with ease near the goal line. He scored three times from the 1, waltzed in from the 4 and closed his night with a 10-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Semone’s final two carries covered 10 and 32 yards.

“It feels great,” said Semone, who sat out his entire junior season at Central Catholic with a shoulder injury. “Hard work pays off in the end.”

The touchdowns hardly defined his performance, though. In the Wing-T, the smallest of gains and details often make the biggest impact.

Semone’s 5-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Oakdale 30 allowed the Mustangs to keep pace with Christian Brothers (11-3), which scored on its first two possessions and led 14-7.

Later, Semone’s block sprung wingmate Cameron Cherry for a 27-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

“We feed off each other. That’s why we both have success,” said Semone, who wrapped Cherry in a hug following his scoring run. “We both understand that when it’s our turn, we have to help the other guy. That’s how you win games – no selfishness.”

Cherry finished with 137 yards on 18 carries. Oakdale rushed for 532 yards, needing only to throw the ball twice.

“We understand our system and we understand what it is we’re trying to do, and once we have success, there’s only so many things you can do,” Merzon said. “We always feel like we have an answer.”

A defense lined with seven junior starters provided a few of its own, too.

Oakdale finally got to Ball State-bound quarterback Tyler Vander Waal late in the first quarter. Vander Waal completed his first seven passes, including two for touchdowns, but was just 2 of 9 the rest of the way.

Bearden matched Semone’s star power. He sacked Vander Waal three times and drove the dagger into Christian Brothers with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Bearden read Vander Waal’s eyes the whole way, lunging in front of a pass toward the sideline.

“He threw the ball right at me,” Bearden said. “I was kind of surprised when it hit my hands. Running down the sideline, there was one guy to beat and he was fast.”

That “guy” wasn’t Merzon, though he tried to keep pace with Bearden.

“To seal it with a pick-six? That was awesome,” Merzon said. “Man, I swear I almost ran out of my headsets. I was going to beat him to the end zone. What a great game Cullen had.”

Oakdale (12-2) has won 12 of its last 13 games, defeating Vista del Lago, Merced and Christian Brothers in order to punch its ticket for the regional round.

Amid the postgame hysteria on Friday, Bearden reflected on the team’s humble beginning – a 27-13 loss to Sonora on Aug. 26. Since then, Oakdale has built and built like a snowball on the loose, gaining experience and confidence with each revolution.

“I don’t even think we’ve peaked yet. I don’t think we’ve played our best football game. Obviously, they got on us in the first quarter,” Bearden said. “I think we’re playing good football, but we haven’t reached our full potential yet. I’m waiting to see what it looks like.”

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 11:43 PM with the headline "Oakdale celebrates D-III section title but believes best is to come."