No. 2 Elk Grove 58, No. 7 Merced 16 in Elk Grove – Ryan Robards rushed for a school-record 375 yards on 28 carries and five touchdowns and boomed a 37-yard field goal as the Thundering Herd (12-0) rolled up 671 yards of offense to batter the Bears (8-4). Robards now has 2,501 rushing yards, shattering James Kidd's school mark of 2,358 set in 14 games in 1991.
Jayden Machado passed for 139 yards and hit Gavin Reinwald for a touchdown, and Damario McClean had two interceptions for Elk Grove, which advances to the semifinals against No. 3 Oak Ridge.
No. 3 Oak Ridge 30, No. 6 Cosumnes Oaks 7 in El Dorado Hills – Ian Book threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Dunnigan and a four-yard strike to Michael Pittman, and Pittman also had a six-yard touchdown run to lead the Trojans (9-3) past the Wolfpack (8-4). Justin Poerio added a 37-yard field goal. Book has accounted for 40 touchdowns this season, including 28 passing scores, and faces Elk Grove next.
No. 2 Antelope 31, No. 7 Sacramento 24 in Antelope – Devaughn Silver, twin brother Darnell Silver and Elijah Dotson each ran for a touchdown, and the Titans (12-0) had nine sacks to beat the Dragons (8-4). Antelope, in a section semifinal for the first time, was led on defense by Josh Cook, Nick Hansen and Davaeon Johnson.
No. 3 Rocklin 42, No. 6 Del Campo 6 in Rocklin – Evyn Holtz rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns, including a 50-yarder, and William Floyd threw touchdown passes of 33 and four yards to Kier Gibson as the Thunder (9-3) rolled the Cougars (9-3) and moved on to the semifinals at Antelope. Rocklin has eliminated the Cougars in the playoffs three times since 2005.
No. 5 Del Oro 59, No. 4 Wood 49 in Vacaville – Camrion Davis rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, Dalton Gee went for 75 and one, Trey Udoffia 61 and two, and the Golden Eagles (6-6) intercepted seven passes, three by Mason Hurst, to outlast the Wildcats of Vacaville (10-2). Hurst returned one interception 35 yards for a score and Justin Burrage had two interceptions as Del Oro earned its 49th career postseason victory.
No. 5 Placer 65, No. 4 Patterson 52 in Patterson – Owen Scott rushed for 265 yards and scored four touchdowns, including an 80-yard kickoff return, Waylen Cozard rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns, and Jared Halbert had 118 yards and a score as the Hillmen (12-0) held off the Tigers (11-1) in a battle of unbeatens.
No. 3 Inderkum 43, No. 6 Manteca 18 in Natomas – Trajon Cotton threw three touchdown passes, two to Isaiah Crocker, as the Tigers (12-0) defeated the Buffaloes (9-3) to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 Oakdale, a 42-14 winner over Benicia. Oakdale beat Inderkum 27-23 for the title last season.
No. 4 Liberty Ranch 44, No. 8 Los Banos 42 in Galt – Rick Van Houten threw 70- and 65-yard touchdown passes to Christian Torgerson, Kamil Jones rushed for a 71-yard score, Mario Bautista recovered a fumble in the end zone, and Devin Hardaway booted three field goals, including a fourth-quarter 33-yarder that proved the game winner, as the Hawks (8-4) withstood a thrilling rally by the Tigers (7-5) to advance to the championship game for the first time. Liberty Ranch will play No. 3 Sierra of Manteca for the championship on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Elk Grove High School.
No. 6 Bear River 31, No. 2 Capital Christian 21 in Rosemont – Austin Baze rushed for three touchdowns and Jason Voter threw 26- and four-yard touchdown passes to Dave Mastrella as the Bruins (9-3) rallied to beat the Cougars (11-1) to earn a shot at defending their title. Bear River will play top-seeded Sonora on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Elk Grove High.
No. 2 Bradshaw Christian 55, No. 3 Gustine 13 in South Sacramento – Behind a punishing run game, the Pride (10-2) returns to the title game for the fifth time since 2009. Bradshaw Christian – which won championships in 2009, 2011 and 2013 – plays top-seeded Hilmar on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Lincoln of Stockton.