Bee’s Best: These stat stuffers starred in Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals
Two-way stars, quarterbacks and linemen shined during the first week of postseason bracket play in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Because the section made the switch from four-week postseasons to three, this year’s brackets featured eight teams and began with the quarterfinals.
A number of Stanislaus District football players had a hand in securing quarterfinals wins and keeping their team in competitive matchups. Winners from Friday night advance to the section semifinals in their respective divisions.
Here are some of the area’s standout performances from Friday night’s quarterfinals matchups.
Wes Burford, Oakdale
The senior running back/linebacker shined in the Mustangs’ playoff opener, adding more stats to an already impressive campaign. The Air Force commit rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries and added two conversions. He also had four tackles and a pair of tackles for loss. Oakdale beat Ponderosa 35-20 and will host Vanden on Friday.
Eli Fisher, Oakdale
The senior helped his team with a stellar defensive effort. Fisher had a game-high 11 tackles and four tackles for loss with one sack in Oakdale’s win over Ponderosa.
Hudson Baldwin, Hughson
The freshman quarterback did not look like Friday night was his first varsity playoff start. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 219 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 17 yards on three carries, leading the Huskies to a season-high 49-point outburst against Pioneer.
Titus Beers, Hughson
Beers had his hands all over Hughson’s 49-6 playoff win over Pioneer. He caught two passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns on offense. On defense, he had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, forced a fumble and had an interception.
Nathan Ayala, Hilmar
The two-way junior star finished with a game-high five catches for 94 yards and added five tackles and two interceptions to lead No. 2 seed Hilmar to a 41-13 D-V quarterfinals win over Rio Linda.
Adam Branco, Hilmar
The sophomore running back rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries to lead Hilmar to a key win Friday night, extending its season. Hilmar can send head coach Frank Marques into retirement with a blue banner.
Lushen Sanders, Ripon Christian
In a close 28-26 quarterfinals victory for the Knights, Sanders rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and had a rushing conversion.
Jonathan Fuentes, Central Catholic
The running back scored Central Catholic’s only touchdown in a narrow loss to Oak Ridge. A senior, Fuentes rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
