These three Stanislaus District teams are headed to the CIF Northern California finals
Three Stanislaus District teams are going bowling. Ripon Christian (11-2), Hughson (11-2) and Escalon (11-3) won Sac-Joaquin Section championships, advancing to CIF Northern California Regional bowl games.
Ripon Christian and Hughson play each other in the Division 5-AA regional championship after winning Division VII and VI section titles, respectively. They will play Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Ripon Christian won its first section championship in school history with a 28-16 win over Woodland Christian. The Knights play a Hughson team coming off a narrow win over Summerville on Saturday. The Huskies took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter, but a late fumble sparked a run that resulted in a 14-13 game.
The two have a common opponent. Ripon Christian, which finished second in the Southern Athletic League, played Orestimba in league play, losing 21-7 in late September. Hughson, the Trans-Valley League’s second place team, beat Orestimba 21-17 in the section semifinals.
In winning the section title this season, Hughson ended a 22-year drought. The Huskies appeared in five Division III section championships from 1990-2000, winning four.
Hughson’s playoff run has not been for the faint of heart. After a first-round bye, the Huskies beat Twelve Bridges by one point in overtime in the quarterfinals before a five-point semifinals victory and Saturday’s one-point thriller.
“I don’t know why we had to make these games so close three weeks in a row … but we’re still going.” Hughson coach Shaun King said.
Escalon won its third straight section title in a one-point thriller over Sonora. Donovan Rozevink found Owen Nash in the back of the end zone to tie the game at 34 and Talan Reider knocked in what went on to be the game-winning extra point. The Cougars continue their hunt for a second state title in three appearances Friday at Engel Field against the Northern Section’s Pleasant Valley of Chico (9-4) in the 4-AA. Escalon beat La Jolla 52-21 to win the 4-A state title in 2019.
Escalon beat Sutter, which joined the Sac-Joaquin Section from the Northern Section this season, 23-2 in the section semis.
The TVL won two section titles this year, with Escalon capturing its 11th and Hughson winning its fifth.
CIF NorCal Regional Championship matchups
Open Division State Championship
Serra, San Mateo vs St. John Bosco at Saddleback College, Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.
Division 1-AA
De La Salle at Folsom, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 1-A
Manteca at Pittsburg, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 2-AA
Lemore at McClymonds, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 2-A
Marin Catholic at San Ramon Valley, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 3-AA
Grant at El Cerrito, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 3-A
Vanden vs Bellarmine at San Jose City College, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 4-AA
Pleasant Valley at Escalon, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 4-A
Menlo at San Marin, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 5-AA
Ripon Christian at Hughson, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 5-A
Clear Lake at Orland, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 6-AA
Santa Teresa at Palo Alto, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Division 6-A
Atascadero at Colusa, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 7-AA State Championship
Pinole Valley at Mendota, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Division 7-A
Lincoln, San Francisco - BYE
