Prep football: No. 12 Placer edges out Casa Roble in thriller of contrasting styles

There is a saying in boxing that styles make fights. A hard-hitting bruiser might look the part, but put them up against someone with brilliant head movement and fast hands and the outcome could be up in the air.

It’s no different in football. On one side in Auburn on Friday night were the Placer Hillmen, masters of the wing-T offense, where there are always three players in the backfield and everyone is tucked close. They run the ball a lot and it’s hard to tackle them because they are so physical.

On the opposite side, in the opening game of football season, were the Casa Roble Rams, located just 19 miles away in Orangevale. They run a smooth spread offense focused on getting the ball to their stud wide receivers. The two teams traded haymakers and the game came down to the last minute with No. 12 Placer escaping with a 37-35 victory over the No. 21 Rams.

Although they differed in style, both teams shared a few striking similarities, starting with their reliance on sophomores and juniors in key positions. For example: Placer’s sophomore running back Baylor Kelley, who is the speedster of the Hillmen’s running back-by-committee approach. With the game tied 28-28 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Kelley broke off a 50-yard touchdown run, his second of the game.

“I learned that we have some guys that can run really fast,” Placer coach Joey Montoya said. He had told The Bee last month that his skill players were inexperienced but the most athletic group that he’s ever coached. “This team has a huge upside.”

“My favorite part about tonight was how they overcame adversity and still made big plays,” Montoya added. “They just didn’t panic.”

The Rams gave themselves every opportunity to leave Placer County with a win. They scored five touchdowns, forced three turnovers and even had the ball with a minute to go.

Then, facing a third and long with only 30 seconds left, Rams sophomore quarterback Connor Campbell, who had been having a great debut, forced a throw that landed in the hands of Placer’s star corner Isiah Hanley. Even though his team had just lost in heartbreaking fashion, Rams head coach Chris Horner had a big smile on his face after the final whistle blew.

“That was just a great freaking game,” Horner said. “It’s too bad that one of us had to lose. I am so proud of how my guys stepped up to the challenge and didn’t quit. We’re young, but these kids are so impressive.”

One of those youngsters that stood out above the rest was junior wide receiver Cole Owens, who caught two touchdown passes from Campbell that were both over 50 yards long. Campbell had three touchdown passes and ran for a score. Owens was understandably Campbell’s favorite target, and Horner said the Rams would have to figure out how to get him the ball. Owens actually started playing varsity football last year as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6.

“I thought we did pretty good as a team, but we probably could have prepared for the wing-T a little bit better,” Owens said. “But for my first game back, I thought I did OK. There were some other balls I wish I came down with.”

He did better than OK. He also lined up at cornerback and recovered a fumble in the second quarter. Lining up on the opposite side of him was Hanley, who himself was returning to varsity football after a long absence. He had two interceptions in the second half including the one that ended the game.

“(Owens) is a great player, I can say that for sure,” Hanley said. “I remember watching him last season knowing that I’d have to be the one to guard him next year.

This story was originally published August 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM.