Rio Linda High School’s football team got a big physical test in its Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff opener against the Vacaville Bulldogs.
The Knights suffered a hard fought 35-21 loss to the hosting Bulldogs on Friday night. Vacaville had home field advantage by virtue of being Monticello Empire League champions, even though the Knights were seeded higher in the playoff bracket.
The Bulldogs improved to 8-3 overall and earned a second-round matchup at Folsom on Friday.
Folsom crushed Atwater 59-12, also on Friday night.
Rio Linda brought size and speed and put Vacaville to the test. But each time the Knights were able to score, the Bulldogs answered with points of their own. The defense also stepped up and made big stops when needed.
Vacaville put up 417 yards of total offense, and all but three of that came on the ground. The Bulldogs’ first offensive play from scrimmage went 58 yards for a touchdown.
Marcel Brown led the Knights with 85 yards on 18 carries. Rio Linda rushed for 356 yards and threw for another 82. Lamar Bible had a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and Brown raced 18 yards for a score in the same period. Hunt caught a 9-yard pass from quarterback Dustin Rossiter in the third quarter.
Rio Linda closed out its season at 8-3 overall.
(Photo courtesy Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)
