Regional bowl foes Sonora, Hanford not ready to celebrate historic seasons

Two football programs appearing in their first CIF Northern California bowl games are taking a workman-like approach to the big stage.

Eyes forward. Head down. Each trying to drown out the party erupting around them.

“The community up here is buzzing. Everyone at school, from the students to the teachers, is buzzing,” said Sonora coach Bryan Craig, whose program snapped a 20-year drought between Sac-Joaquin Section championships with a 42-30 victory over Bear River on Nov. 28. “It’s created a lot of momentum for the program.”

While section championships used to be the ultimate prize for most California high school football programs, the CIF’s new bowl system has made a state bowl a reality for every section champion.

So the season continues for the Wildcats (12-1) and their opponent on Friday evening – the Hanford Bullpups (12-1), Central Section Division III champions.

The Wildcats and Bullpups will meet under the lights of Dunlavy Field in the Division IV-AA bowl game. The winner will advance to the state bowl against the winner of Canyon of Anaheim (9-5) and Bonita Vista of Chula Vista (11-2).

The Hanford football program will push up the mountain, leaving its south San Joaquin Valley home with the cheers of 54,000 fueling its drive up Highway 108.

“The word is getting out there that this is happening,” Hanford coach Josh Young said. “There has been a good buzz about it. I think everyone is proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

As the campuses and communities revel in the section titles, Craig and Young have kept the focus on the football field, knowing attention to detail – not talent alone – will likely separate the section champions this weekend.

The Bullpups have been fitted with virtual blinders.

“You don’t want to get swept up in the moment, and I think that’s what we’ve done a good job of for two years,” said Young, whose program is 24-2 over the past two seasons with back-to-back West Yosemite League and Central Section Division III titles.

“We get so focused on the day-to-day activities and practice and preparing that you’re able to tune all of that stuff out.”

Sonora has had an extra week to savor its championship. Craig and his coaching staff put the players through a light week of practice as they waited on their regional assignment.

With two bye weeks in the past month, the Wildcats are as healthy and rested as they’ve been all season.

Minus one, of course: Craig said fullback/middle linebacker Bradley Canepa will miss his fifth consecutive game after suffering a small tear on his kidney against Amador on Oct. 23. Canepa was recently named the Mother Lode League MVP.

His void has been filled by linebacker Blake Graham, a senior and team captain, and fullback Brett McCutchen, a transfer from Mariposa.

“The break was good. It allowed some of the kids that caught that cold going around to get healthy. You know, all those aches and pains go away with an extra week off,” Craig said.

“We had shorter practices. Typically, we require the kids to be disciplined and focused in practice. Last week, we let them enjoy the moment and what they accomplished. I think that was good for us to do that. This week, it’s been business as usual.”

Figuring out Hanford has been easy.

Slowing them down, however, will be the trick.

Hanford boasts a record-setting spread offense. Quarterback Ryan Johnson has amassed more than 3,200 yards of total offense with a record 29 touchdown passes and counting. Running back Joseph McDaniel has rushed for a school record 1,827 yards.

Watching them on film, Craig is reminded of Hilmar, only in fast forward. Sonora edged Hilmar, the Trans-Valley League co-champion, 36-35, on Sept. 11.

“We have to play disciplined defense, be physical at the point of attack and then rally all 11 to the ball,” Craig said. “When the first guy gets them, he has to go down right there.”

Young has his own concerns. Hanford hasn’t had much exposure to the triple-option offense.

Sonora wore down Bear River with four different running backs and quarterback Sammy Page. The Wildcats’ numbers weren’t flashy, but each run was a taxing blow to the Bruins defense.

Fullbacks Nate Gookin and McCutchen combined for 102 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, while speedy Kane Rodgers and Wyatt Faughnan racked up 94 yards on sweeps and tosses.

Faughnan had two touchdowns during a 35-0 blitz over the second and third quarters.

“They run it with precision and pose big problems for teams,” Young said. “They force you to make one-on-one tackles on guys that are physical and athletic.”

Looking around his practice field, Craig is confident Sonora can meet the challenge on Friday. Though his team satisfied its singular goal – to lift a section banner – the opportunity to win regional and state bowls is enticing.

So back to work they’ve gone.

Eyes forward. Head down.

“Now that we’re here, it’s like ‘Let’s continue this. Let’s do this,’ ” Craig said. “It’s not like they’re satisfied with the blue banner. I was worried about that; that they’d get complacent. But looking at the way we practiced this week and went about business last week, I think the kids want to keep this going.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Regional bowl foes Sonora, Hanford not ready to celebrate historic seasons."