Capital Christian playoff ban appeal uncertain, beats Sacramento to control CAL title

Capital Christian and Sacramento high schools fought hard for first place in the Capital Athletic League on Friday night at the Cougars’ home field, especially in a back-and-forth first half.

But it was all Cougars in the second half. No. 11 Capital Christian rolled 64-31 on the arm of Anthony Garica, who had six touchdown passes and ran for one. He hit Kanye Clark and Cameron Sampson for two scoring passes. Sampson also returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown as the Cougars inched closer to the CAL championship.

It was a good night to end an interesting week, as the Cougars were led to believe their appeal to the Sac-Joaquin Section to lift a playoff ban was denied. But the CIF governing body has not released an update on the case, and by Saturday morning, Capital Christian leaders were hearing that they in fact may have won the appeal. The playoff ban was levied for engaging in a club football league during the pandemic, when high school sports were officially on pause. The school has also filed a lawsuit against the section.

“I’m upset about it. But we are still fighting to get every win we can get,” Garcia said in trying to remain optimistic for his senior year.

Capital Christian coach Saul Patu praised Garcia’s leadership, saying, “We always depend on Anthony coming out here to do what he does. There is a reason he is a top quarterback in the state of California.”

Added the quarterback, “I couldn’t have done it without my O-line and without my receivers. They all had a really good game, its props to them and the coaching staff.”

Sampson has played big all over the field all season.

“The whole team played a hell of a game,” he said. “Individually, I think I played the best game of my life.

Sacramento came in 7-0, its best start since 1991, and the Dragons played the first half head-to-head with Capital. Lamar Radcliffe was unstoppable. He rushed for 302 yards on 36 carries for Sacramento, but six turnovers doomed the Dragons, leading to a shift in momentum each time.

“Turnovers. It started at the end of the first half with the fumble and spiraled from there,” Dragons coach Justin Reber said. He added, “A lot of emotions. It’s tough.”

Reber was playing against his alma mater, where he was a star football player himself and even got his coaching start. His father, Jim Reber, is the band director at Capital. He said this was not an easy loss, but he is encouraged about his young team.

So is Patu, the Capital coach. He said it has been a “blessing” to play football at all, given the pandemic and the challenges within. He also praised Sacramento, saying, “Credit to the Dragons, they did a great job in the first half.”

This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 6:25 AM.