Who’s up next in NorCals for Central Catholic, Escalon? Tough opponents
After capturing Sac-Joaquin Section titles on Saturday night, Central Catholic and Escalon will play at least one more week in the 2021 CIF Regional Football Championship Bowl Games on Friday, Dec. 3.
The California Interscholastic Federation announced the matchups for bowl games in seven divisions and one Open Division on Sunday afternoon.
The Raiders (12-1) outscored Monterey Trail of Elk Grove 30-0 in the second half to run away with the section Division II section title, winning 43-22. It is the 20th section title in program history.
Running backs Julian Lopez and Aiden Taylor combined for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Wentworth completed 12 of 14 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown.
After playing one of the toughest non-league schedules in the section and going undefeated in the Valley Oak League, Central Catholic hosts Bullard of Fresno for the Division 2-AA regional bowl game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Knights (9-4) finished second in the County/Metro League and earned the top seed in the Central Section playoffs.
They knocked off No. 2 seed Bakersfield 45-21 to win their second Central Section title in school history.
Escalon (12-1) captured its second straight section title, knocking off Trans-Valley League opponent Hilmar 20-13 in the section Division V championship.
After leading 14-13 for the majority of the second half, JP Lial sealed the game for the Cougars with a 3-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
Escalon, originally a Division VI team that was placed in the Division V section playoffs after winning the TVL, plays Marin Catholic of Marin County in the NorCal Division 4-AA regional bowl game at San Rafael High School on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Marin Catholic (12-1) finished first in the Marin County League after going 5-0 and won the North Coast Section title, defeating Cardinal Newman 42-7.
The Wildcats have won nine straight games and feature a stout defense that has allowed an average of just 7.6 points a game and has six shutouts.
They cruised past No. 8 Mt. Diablo 66-0 in the quarterfinals and beat No. 4 Tamalpais 34-16 in the semifinals.
