‘It’s bittersweet’: Rocklin blows out rival Whitney to cap undefeated season
These Placer County programs were scheduled to face off in a season opener March 13. The game was canceled because of COVID-19 issues.
The rivalry between Rocklin High School and Whitney runs deep in any season. Players and coaches know each other. They’re friends outside of competition. Rocklin honored seniors from both schools in pregame with messages from players prior to the season’s final kickoff.
On the field, they’re not so friendly.
After No. 3 Rocklin beat Whitney 31-3 Friday, a scuffle broke out at midfield. The tense moment lasted about a minute. Coaches held their players back so it didn’t escalate. The entire game was chippy, with a bevy of penalties.
This win means a lot to the Thunder. Whitney ended its season in 2019 in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. This night was Rocklin’s turn to end the Wildcats’ season with a loss in the Quarry Bowl, a series Rocklin leads 9-3.
What raised the intensity was the actions of Whitney players before the game, Rocklin coaches said.
“It’s happened over the years here,” Rocklin coach Jason Adams said of the testy nature of rivals. “We have our (Rocklin) R at midfield. You just don’t run out and jump on the R. It’s something you just don’t do, out of respect. It’s the little things. Coming off last year they won the game and you start out with that business — that’s not what we do. We’re not about that.”
Rocklin’s defense stepped up and allowed 25 total rushing yards. Jaylen Pickens and Taylor Wake had interceptions, and Evan Niemi and Chase Rothe had sacks. All came in the fourth quarter.
Rocklin quarterback Kenny Lueth had touchdown runs of one and nine yards, and Anthony Johnston rushed for 41 of his 49 yards in the first half that included a 35-yard touchdown run down the sidelines led by lead blocker Bobby Piland. That gave Rocklin a 21-0 lead at halftime.
The Thunder’s all-world kicker Cole Becker had a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter, and quarterback Richie Watts scored from a yard out to ice the game.
Watts grew up playing for Whitney’s junior Wildcat program. He said attending Rocklin and playing football the for the Thunder has been memorable.
“Those are great people over there,” Watts said about Whitney. “Don’t get me wrong, I love all of those dudes. But this is my place and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m so happy I’m here.”
Whitney’s Nick Tawney had an admirable performance in defeat. Tawney had three catches for 63 yards and kicked a 35-yard field goal for his team’s only points.
There will be no section playoffs this season, meaning this is the end of the road for both teams. Rocklin finished the season 4-0. The Thunder are pleased, despite the frustration of not being able to face top-ranked Folsom. That game did not happen last week due to delays in test results.
“(We are) 100% content ending the season (like this),” Watts said. “Folsom is in the rearview mirror. Everyone knows we wanted that game, but Folsom was last week and Whitney was today.”
He added, “It’s bittersweet. The win is amazing. This group of guys are the best. I’m happy that we got to go out on that note. I’ve had the time of my life with this program. Coach Adams is a life-changing guy.”
Rocklin will return a handful of junior standouts this fall such as Lueth, Toran O’Harran, Elias Mullican, Nathan Kent, Bobby Piland and Anthony Johnston.
Cole Becker, Daniel Bracone, Woody Brennan, Ilaisa Gonebure, Cole Gustafson, Hunter Houser, Nic Johnson, Dylan Lee, Jacob Manriquez, Tyler Moya, Evan Niemi, Zach Nigh, Jaylen Pickens, Chase Rothe, Tim Sartain, Jason Schneider, Hudson Skerl, Cian Slone, Mason Thomas, Mitchell Valdez, Mitch Valdez, Taylor Wake and Watts are the 23 seniors Rocklin graduates.
“From a talent standpoint (our senior class) is one of the best we have ever had,” Adams said. “You like to win a championship with them. At the end of the day, they will reflect on the experiences they had with each other. We have kids in that group who will accomplish great things in the community. They will inspire a lot of people to be successful in life and that’s the ultimate measure.”
Whitney finished 1-4 after making a Cinderella run to the D-ll Sac-Joaquin Section championship in 2019 before losing to Elk Grove 35-0. Key seniors for Whitney include Roman Floyd, Dylan Hale, Austin Hauptman, Jesse Kraft, Perry Payne, Patrick Strong, Tawney, Jordan Tinetti and Joshua Wesselman.
Friday scores
Waterford 47, Denair 14
Turlock 49, Pitman 7
Rio Linda 20, Foothill 6
Rocklin 31, Whitney 3
Central Catholic 22, Buhach Colony 18
Casa Roble 27, Pioneer 21
Granite Bay 47, Del Oro 7
Grant 35, Capital Christian 32
Los Banos 31, Ceres 24
Christian Brothers 54, Del Campo 14
Tracy 54, West 8
Natomas 38, Florin 0
Livingston 35, Gustine 13
Gregori 34, Enochs 0
Escalon 48, Sierra 14
Linden 57, Franklin 7
Hilmar 36, Golden Valley 0
Stagg 49, Chavez 10
Roseville 48, Bella Vista 22
Lincoln-S 28, Edison 7
Monterey Trail 55, Antelope 19
Woodcreek 28, River Valley 14
Sheldon 34, Pleasant Grove 17
Folsom 54, Oak Ridge 21
Vacaville 58, Wood 20