Amador holds off Mendota to win CIF NorCal 6-AA football crown

Amador High earned a chance to play for the school’s first state football championship with a 21-14 victory over previously unbeaten Mendota on Friday at Calaveras High School.

The Buffaloes (14-1) will travel take on Temecula’s Rancho Christian (13-2) for the CIF 6-AA championship at a site to be determined, though it seems likely the game will be played in Southern California. Kickoff is set Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Eagles defeated Franklin 56-21 in Los Angeles to claim the SoCal title.

“Our kids are loving every minute of it, and for me personally there’s a tremendous satisfaction, to be honest with you,” said Amador coach Bill Baker. “We’ll get a time to celebrate that a little later maybe, but for right now, hey, I’m just proud to be where I’m at; proud of my team and proud of my community.”

Mendota entered Friday’s contest averaging 41 points per game but was unable to sustain drives against Amador, which seemed to put the game on ice when Daylan Thetford scored from the 1 to make it 21-0 with 5 minutes, 12 minutes to play in the contest.

But the Aztecs scored two touchdowns in less than three minutes and lined up for an onside kick with 2:18 showing on the clock.

Mendota kicker Cristian Valadez squibbed a kick in the direction of Eric Moreno, who pounced on the ball on Amador’s 48.

“I could tell it was coming my way and I was ready for it,” said Moreno, a senior. “They were down by just one TD; if they get that onside kick, it’s a game-changer.”

The Buffaloes were unable to record a first down, but managed to eat up all but 12 seconds before punting. Mendota attempted a hook-and-lateral on its final play, but Amador sniffed it out and time expired.

“That was the most nervous we’ve ever been at Amador, since I’ve been here,” said junior linebacker Brandon Wright. “Baker said it’s the most nervous he’s ever been.”

Amador’s defense held Mendota three times on attempted fourth-down conversions and harassed quarterback Junior Cardenas all evening. Cardenas finished the season with 43 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.

On the game’s opening possession, the Aztecs drove deep into Amador territory. When the drive stalled, Valadez was brought on to attempt a 32-yard field goal. The ball skipped off the left upright and the Buffaloes took over on their 20.

“We were going against a high-powered offense,” said junior linebacker Brandon Wright. “We knew we had to come in and make big stops tonight. We did that.”

Two plays later after the missed field goal, tailback Daylan Thetford broke free for a 74-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.

Mendota’s next drive resulted in a punt after Amador came through with sacks on second and third down, bringing up a fourth-and-32.

The Buffaloes made it 14-0 with 2:34 left in the first half when Tyler McCoey hauled in a 19-yard scoring strike from quarterback Anthony Burns.

“We’re making extreme history and we’re really proud of what we’re doing for Baker,” said Wright. “Everything we’re doing right now is for Coach Baker. He’s given his all to us and we’re just trying to repay him.”

And now the Buffaloes are going to the state championship game, which will be their fourth straight game away from Sutter Creek.

“Nope,” said Wright, when asked if he cares where Amador plays next. “I just want to play football.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2016 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Amador holds off Mendota to win CIF NorCal 6-AA football crown."