MODESTO Ca.
Approximately 3500 fans at Central Catholic's Patton Field Saw the C.C. Raiders turn up the intensity level in dominating Escalon 42-23 in one of two Sac-Joaquin Section Div. 5 semi-final games. It was a hard hitting affair displaying the kind of high level playoff caliber football both these teams are known for.
Central Catholic now advances to the div. 5 championship againest Modesto Christian at Amos Alonzo Stagg Stadium on the University of Pacific Campus in Stockton.
Central's junior running back sensation Louis Bland had another big night ,running for 223 yards
and scoring 5 touchdowns.It was easy noticing the difference between last weeks rather dull showing in shutting out Ripon and the crisp high energy level the Raiders showed in this contest.
It didn't take Central long to take control. Just a few seconds and 2 plays. On the opening play from scrimmage 6ft. 6in wide reciever Chase Deadder bolted 54 yards on a counter play to the Escalon 20. Bland then sweeped left end for the T.D. on the next play. Central up 7-0 before everybody could sit down.
Escalon hung in for while though. The cougars took the kick-off and went on a sustained drive
culminating in a Jesus Duran 30 yard field goal.
Escalon then recovered a squib kick fumbled by Central, and the Cougars were in business. They marched deep into Raider territory and it looked as though they would score and go up 10-7.
But Escalon Q.B. Nick Apriel fumbled a snap and Central recovered. Then came the next 2 knockout punches. Bland for 13 yards and then Bland exploded for 69 yards and a touchdown and a 14-3 lead. Bland scored again from 11 yards making it 21-3. Escalon's Josh May powered in from
3 yards out closing the 1st.half scoring trailing 21-10.
In the second half Bland scored 2 more touchdowns on runs of 4 and 14 yards. JJ Flores closed out Central's scoring with a 10 yard run giving Central a commanding 42-10 lead.
The Cougars don't have any quit in them however and kept battling back,scoring on late 4th qtr touchdowns on a 55 yrd pass from Nick Apriel to Brian French and a 1 yard dive by Josh May on the games final play. A few Escalon players limped off the field discouraged and a little beat up. But with many returning starters next year they should end up here in familiar playoff territory.
As for next week's Championship ,this reporter feels Modesto Christian will hang with Central for a while,but Central has too much speed and talent not to mention the best Coach in the section in Mike Glines. My prediction
Central Catholic 49 Modesto Christian 21.
