Escalon,Ca.-After a lackluster performance againest Summerville last week,the Central Catholic Raiders came out running on all cylinders friday night dominating the previously unbeaten Escalon Cougars 38-6 in a SacJoaquin Section Div. 5 semifinal playoff game at Escalon's Engel Field .
A standing room only crowd saw the Raiders move 80 yards after the kickoff with T.J. Belton capping the drive with a 6 yard run ,giving Central a 7-0 lead.Central's defense shut down Escalon to 3 downs and out then marched again towards paydirt with Junior Quarterback Dylan Swartz passing to James Orth for 20 yards and a touchdown with 3:45 left in the quarter. Swartz, Who threw for 210 yards and 3 T.D,s, then hit Phillip Martinez flying down the sideline for a 52 yard T.D. at 2:30 giving the Raiders a stunning 21-0 lead after one period.
Swartz tossed another TD. of 12yds. to Pat Trinkler and Sebastian Hernandez booted a 34 yard field goal to give Central a 31-0 halftime lead.
Escalon got on the board on an Izzy Ruiz 2 yd. run and Central's Matt Shinkwin scored on a 71 yard interception return making the final score 38-6.
Escalon finishes with an 11-1 record for what was believed to be a rebuilding year.They'll be even tougher next year.Central now has a rematch with WAC conference rival Hilmar next Saturday at university of Pacific for the section title.
Although Central won the 1st meeting 25-6,Hilmar has improved weekly with the return of the starting QB Quinton McCown. Hilmar matches up well physically againest Central Catholic.The Raiders well be playing for their eighth straight section Championship. both teams have 11-1 records.It should be a great one.