Capital Christian, Orestimba out of D-V bracket; Sonora comes alive in the 2nd half

Put away the chalk and break out the red pen.

The Sac-Joaquin Section Division V bracket was turned upside down with a pair of upsets on Thursday evening.

No. 3 Capital Christian, the reigning section champion, was knocked off by No. 6 Bear River, 26-7, and No. 4 Orestimba was ousted by No. 5 Colfax, 43-20.

The Warriors finished the season as The Bee's top small-school team for the first time in school history, but couldn't parlay that success into a deep playoff run.

The three-time defending Southern League champions "fizzled," according to coach Aaron Souza. Orestimba cut Colfax's lead to 22-20 in the third quarter, but would get no closer. The road-weary Falcons closed the game on a 21-0 run.

The Warriors' offense was limited.

Though running back Tymon Bolden played after suffering a knee injury in last week's Battle of the Chief, he was hobbled. Bolden was questionable all week long, Souza said.

Top-seeded Sonora avoided an upset, but was tested by No. 8 Highlands. The Wildcats held onto a slim 27-25 lead a the half, and then ...

Order was restored.

The Wildcats turned a close game into a rout with 43 points in the second half and cruised to a 70-48 win. Jake Gookin rushed for 261 yards and five touchdowns on just 11 carries. He also completed six of his eight passes for 156 yards.

Highlands had no answer for the Wildcats' punishing ground game. Jack Camara rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and Rico Sanchez and Mike McKernon also found the end zone.

Sonora hosts Colfax next Friday, while Bear River awaits the winner of No. 2 Calaveras-No. 7 Ripon. That game will be played Friday.