Amador takes on Rancho Christian for state’s VI-AA championship
Amador High will take on Rancho Christian today at 6 p.m. at Murrieta Mesa High School for the state’s Division VI-AA championship.
And the Buffaloes had to go the long way to get there.
No, we’re not talking about the 10-hour bus trip – with stops – from Sutter Creek to Murrieta. Amador (14-1) is the only team playing for a state championship this weekend that had to participate in a play-in game.
Amador traveled to San Francisco Dec. 3 and defeated Lincoln 45-20 to qualify for the VI-AA Northern California regional bowl against Mendota, which it won 21-14 on Dec. 10.
Brookside Christian (Stockton), which got past Biggs in the other play-in game, failed to get past the regional round.
The Buffaloes have a MaxPreps statewide ranking of 196, while Rancho Christian is ranked No. 234.
Mendota was ranked 236th when they met in San Andreas last week.
The Eagles (13-2) are led by running back Jaden Schieberl. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior has rushed for 1,668 yards and 23 touchdowns. Backfield mate Malosi Napoleon, a 5-9, 165-pound sophomore, has rushed for 1,449 yards and 15 TDs.
Like the Buffaloes, Rancho Christian doesn’t pass much, but the Eagles are fairly effective when they do.
Quarterback Carter Treadway, a 5-10, 150-pound junior, has completed 86 of 147 attempts (.585) for 1,527 yards. He’s thrown for 19 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Treadway will also tuck the ball and run. He’s rushed for 469 yards and 11 TDs this season.
However, the Eagles play in the South Valley League, where their foes have an average MaxPreps ranking of 902.
By comparison, the Central California Athletic Alliance, the Stanislaus District’s smallest league with teams such as Big Valley Christian and Turlock Christian, has an average MaxPreps ranking of 905.
Amador, a member of the rugged Mother Lode League, which qualified five of its seven teams for the playoffs this year, has a MaxPreps average of 475.
This is the first state championship game for either team.
Joe Cortez: 209-578-2380, @ModBeePreps
Division VI-AA State Bowl
Who: Amador Buffaloes (14-1) at Rancho Christian (13-2)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Murrieta Mesa High
Enrollments: Amador – 645. Rancho Christian – 900.
MaxPreps state ranking: Amador – 196. Rancho Christian – 234
State experience: Both schools appearing in a CIF State Bowl for the first time.
Rosters: Amador – 35. Rancho Christian – 34.
Pedigree: Competing out of the Mother Lode League, Amador captured its first Sac-Joaquin Section title in the school’s 105-year history. Under third-year coach Jim Kunau, Rancho Christian has increased its win total each year: 7, 8 and 13.
Tickets: $12 for adults, $8 for high school students (with a valid ASB card), seniors (65+) and children (under age 5) free.
How they got here
Division VI-AA State Bowl
Amador 14-1
(MaxPreps state ranking: 196)
(Opponents’ average MaxPreps ranking: 546)
Aug. 26 at Union Mine (775) W, 24-0
Sept. 2 Rio Vista (607) W, 59-6
Sept. 9 at San Juan (1,024) W, 59-7
Sept. 23 at Linden (893) W, 61-7
Sept. 30 at Sonora (140) L, 35-14
Oct. 7 Argonaut (325) W, 24-21
Oct. 14 Bret Harte (489) W, 8-6
Oct. 21 at Calaveras (352) W, 24-14
Oct. 28 Yosemite (594) W, 35-7
Nov. 4 Summerville (650) W, 63-6
Nov. 11 Denair (690) W, 48-12
Nov. 18 Orestimba (400) W, 17-14
Nov. 26 Bradshaw Chr. (285) W, 30-7
Dec. 3 at Lincoln-SF (700) W, 45-20
Dec.10 Mendota (260) W, 21-14
Rancho Christian 13-2
(MaxPreps state ranking: 234)
(Opponents’ average MaxPreps ranking: 627)
Aug. 26 Arrowhead Christian (654) W, 35-18
Sept. 2 at Whittier Christian (380) W, 38-34
Sept. 16 Horizon Christian Academy (631) W, 31-0
Sept. 23 at Aquinas (165) L, 56-29
Sept. 30 Brethren Christian (208) L, 34-30
Oct. 7 at Santa Rosa Academy (1,015) W, 53-7
Oct. 14 Calvary Murrieta (511) W, 43-40
Oct. 21 Nuview Bridge (1,049) W, 45-0
Oct. 28 Temecula Prep (1,027) W, 48-21
Nov. 4 at Calif. Military Institute (907) W, 46-7
Nov. 11 Hamilton (1,014) W, 41-0
Nov. 18 at Godinez (538) W, 28-21
Nov. 25 at South El Monte (529) W, 42-28
Dec. 3 Santa Ana (344) W, 52-14
Dec. 9 at Franklin-LA (438) W, 56-21
This story was originally published December 16, 2016 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Amador takes on Rancho Christian for state’s VI-AA championship."