Game previews from around the area for tonight’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Semi-Final game.
Elk Grove reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals for a third consecutive season, doing so after an 18-12 slugfest with Burbank last Friday.
Burbank was limited to only 34 yards of total offense in the first half.While Elk Grove’s offense has been inconsistent in the second half of the season, the defense has been steady for all of 2013. The defense had scored a touchdown in three straight games prior to the semifinal win over Burbank.
Even so, Burbank tied its season-low for points.
It doesn’t get any easier for the defense.
Now they must face one of the top rushing attacks in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
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Interestingly, the Sac-Joaquin Section playoff committee seeded Rio Linda second instead of Elk Grove. Both went 9-1 in the regular season and won their respective league titles.
Elk Grove, though, plays in a considerably tougher league, the Delta Valley, which includes playoff qualifiers Franklin and Grant.
With a win, Elk Grove will advance to its second straight Division II final. They lost to Folsom last season.
Rio Linda, which went 5-0 in the Capital Valley Conference, is currently riding an 11-game winning streak.
The only loss came against Roseville, 22-14, in the season opener.
Rio Linda led 17-7 at the half against Vacaville in the second round, but needed a late rally in the fourth quarter to escape with a 31-21 win.
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Prediction: Elk Grove 27, Rio Linda 20
- Jon Gudel – Sports Editor, Elk Grove Citizen online.
These teams haven’t met since a nonleague game in 1976, and this one is for a spot in the Division II championship game. Both teams rely on the run, though both have capable passers in Stephen Andrews of Rio Linda and Tommy Arnold of Elk Grove. Despite a nagging high ankle sprain, Wadus Parker has rushed for 1,636 yards and 24 TDs for the Thundering Herd, and Spencer Sheff has added 673 yards and nine TDs. Rio Linda counters with the speed and power of Marcel Brown (1,850 yards, 25 TDs) and power and burst of Leo Skattebo (913 yards, 14 TDs). Two defensive linemen who might have an impact are B’won Canada of Elk Grove and Vaughn Hingano of Rio Linda.
- Joe Davidson, SacBee Sports
8. (8) Elk Grove (11-1)
The Thundering Herd beat Burbank (Sacramento) 18-12 in a Sac-Joaquin Section D-II contest that had a lot of speed and power. Wadus Parker rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns and the defense limited Burbank to five first downs and one offensive touchdown.
Next: No. 23 Rio Linda, Friday23. (25) Rio Linda (11-1)
The Knights beat Vacaville 31-21 in a Sac-Joaquin Section D-II game behind Marcel Brown, who rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns.Leonard Skattebo rushed for a score and had 12 tackles.
Next: No. 8 Elk Grove, FridayPrediction: Elk Grove 20, Rio Linda 14
