Patterson pulls away to defeat Roseville and will face Grant in Division III semifinals
Lolo Mataele had just finished putting on one of the great playoff performances in Patterson High football history.
But after his teammates gave him an ovation in the postgame huddle, Mataele was quick to give the credit to his teammates.
The senior running back rushed for 326 yards and five touchdowns — and also caught a TD pass — to lead second-seeded Patterson to a 56-34 victory over 10th-seeded Roseville in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff game.
Mataele credited his offensive line for its efforts in the impressive win at Patterson Community Stadium.
“My offensive line is amazing,” Mataele said. “I’m not the strongest runner, but my line makes me look like the best one out there.
“I wish I had money to take them out, but I don’t have money right now. Maybe in the future.”
Mataele sure looked like a strong runner Friday night.
He ran through and around a depleted Roseville defense for an average of 14.1 yards a carry.
He scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone, on runs of 54, 13 and 61 yards.
“He was the first one to recognize his offensive line, and we had slots, receivers blocking for him,” Patterson head coach Rob Cozart said. “It was a great all-around game.
“It was intense. There were ups and downs the whole game. The second half proved to be the deciding factor for us.”
Patterson, undefeated champion of the Central California Conference, improved to 10-1 and will host Grant of Sacramento, seeded fourth, in next week’s Division III semifinals.
The Pacers’ defense will have to contend with Mataele, a 6-foot, 200-pound runner who has come on strong as the season has progressed. But he’s not the Tigers’ only weapon.
The young Patterson team features good athletes at all of the skill positions, led by a freshman quarterback who plays beyond his years.
Max Medina, a diminutive left-hander, overcame some pregame jitters to pass for 108 yards and three touchdowns — two to sophomore Noah Cozart.
Medina’s only mistake was a second-quarter interception.
“I was really nervous,” Medina said. “But I know my team has my back. That’s what I think of. I just try to stay focused and know my team’s got my back at all times.
“I feel safe when I’m behind my center and it’s really fun back there.”
Tough ending for Roseville
Roseville was missing several starters on defense due to injury, which didn’t help in trying to stop Mataele.
Roseville, which finished its season at 7-5, wore down in the final quarter.
The Tigers were making their second trip to the southern part of the section in a week, having upset seventh-seeded Oakdale at The Corral 28-21 a week earlier.
After trailing by more than two scores for most of the game, Roseville pulled within seven points of Patterson, 35-28, and had the ball at midfield late in the third quarter.
But Roseville missed several chances to connect on long passes and was forced to punt. A few plays later, Mataele ran 54 yards to make it 42-28.
Roseville then fumbled on its next possession and Mataele scored from 13 yards to put the game out of reach.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Roseville head coach Adam Reinking said. “They’re just a really well-coached, good football team.”
Reinking says he’s trying to build a culture of winning at Roseville. The team’s second-consecutive playoff appearance, along with winning JV and freshman teams, seem to bode well for his program’s future.
“I always talk about leaving (the program) better than when you got there,” he said, “and I think this group did.”
Patterson prepares for Grant
Patterson now turns its attention to preparing for a talented Grant team (8-2), which defeated Yuba City 64-28 on Friday to earn the trip to the semis.
The Pacers went 5-1 in the Metropolitan League, losing only to Division I power Monterey Trail.
Patterson, which suffered its only loss this season in Week 2 to Division II powerhouse Manteca, will have the advantage of playing at home.
“Being at home is a big deal,” Cozart said.
A win would send the Tigers to the section championship game against either No. 8 Woodcreek, which stunned top-seeded Placer on Friday, or No. 4 Christian Brothers.
It would be Patterson’s second appearance in a section final. The Tigers have never won a blue banner in football.
This story was originally published November 12, 2022 at 12:19 AM.
