Forced to find new leaders, Del Oro’s football team comes up with a playoff win
After a winless 2021 spring season, Del Oro High School continued to revitalize its proud football tradition with a 28-21 win over Enochs of Modesto on Friday night in a CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I playoff opener.
Making it to the playoffs, let alone winning a playoff game, is no small feat for any program. Especially a team which faced trial after trial all season like Del Oro did. Playing in the rugged Sierra Foothill League is no joke. Facing other high schools with strong traditions such as Folsom and Rocklin is like playing in a playoff game every week. But this team had something to prove, especially after the 0-5 spring showing, then starting this season 4-0, then losing four in a row.
“This season meant everything, to restore the Del Oro history,” said assistant coach Kevin Brown. “We’re used to making the playoffs and having a deep run. So kind of recovering after the whole COVID-19 spring ball season, it meant a great deal.”
It’s a big deal for head coach Mike Maben, who earned his first playoff win at his alma mater. Del Oro is in the playoffs for the 31st time since 1981, having won 12 section crowns since 1989.
One player in particular seized this moment and left everything on the field. Senior wide receiver Aiden Parry, son of assistant coach Josh Parry, was impressive. He caught three touchdown passes from Jakob Hamilton and he played a hand in converting a two-point conversion, where he caught a screen pass and then threw it to teammate Jimmy Brear.
“This was my last home game ever,” Parry said. “I knew I was never going to play here again so I had to leave everything out on the field and I think we did a great job.”
On top of the tough competition, Del Oro lost its starting senior quarterback, Ryan Lewis, to an injury midway through the season. This type of incident can shatter the heart of any team. However, this team wasn’t going to let injury ruin a comeback year.
Hamilton took over the reins for Lewis. Perhaps the biggest adjustment was by the wide receiver group who had built a trust and connection with first quarterback.
“It was sad,” Parry said of losing Lewis. “The chemistry with the starting QB was irreplaceable. He’s one of my best friends. Losing your leader and moving to his backup, it’s crazy. But I think Jake is doing a great job of it and our team grew with him.”
Hamilton was ready to seize this opportunity.
“I was comfortable on day one,” Hamilton said. “It probably didn’t look like it to everyone else but I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid. My team lifted me up when Ryan went down and it made me excited.”
It also helps to gain your confidence when your No. 1 target in Parry is willing to put in the time and effort to build chemistry with you. The high volume of targets, yards, and touchdowns do not come from luck. They are earned in practice.
“Our connection sparked instantly,” Hamilton said. “It was always Ryan and AP, and when Ryan went down he and I started working out and we got it dialed up. I love throwing to him. He’s reliable and he’s always open.”
Next is a road game at No. 2 Jesuit on Saturday in Carmichael.
Division l
Sheldon 36, Turlock 22
St. Mary’s 56, McClatchy 12
Lincoln 56, Chavez 6
Del Oro 28, Enochs 21
Next week
Sheldon at Rocklin
St. Mary’s at Edison
Lincoln-S at Folsom
Del Oro at Jesuit
Division ll
Lodi 38, Downey 19
Whitney 35, Inderkum 0
Elk Grove 56, Gregori 6
Monterey Trail 39, Woodcreek 23
Next week
Lodi at Central Catholic
Whitney at Antelope
Elk Grove at Vacaville
Monterey Trail at Granite Bay
Division lll
Roseville 33, Davis 21
Patterson 38, Burbank 6
Sacramento-Golden Valley, Saturday
Christian Brothers 30, Rodriguez 16
Next week
Roseville at Oakdale
Patterson at Yuba City
Sacramento/Golden Valley at Manteca
Christian Brothers at Lincoln
Division lV
Wood 39, Nevada Union 27
East Union 51, Del Campo 7
Placer 63, West Park 28
Dixon 29, Ponderosa 20
Next week
Wood at Kimball
East Union at Merced
Placer at Vista del Lago
Dixon at Vanden
Division V
Woodland 22, Colfax 19
Ripon 39, Ceres 13
Hilmar 61, Los Banos 27
Casa Roble 51, El Camino 34
Next week
Woodland at Escalon
Ripon at Pioneer
Hilmar at Sonora
Casa Roble at Union Mine
Division Vl
Linden 42, Orestimba 28
Rosemont 49, Delhi 13
Waterford 48, Summerville 25
Liberty Ranch 42, Gustine 19
Next week
Linden at Bradshaw Christian
Rosemont at Hughson
Waterford at Livingston
Liberty Ranch at Argonaut
This story was originally published November 6, 2021 at 6:21 AM.