Prep football: Led by Suggs’ rushing TDs, Placer beats West Park to claim FVL title

Zander Esty had his moment at the end of the game.The Placer High School sen ior addressed his team, coaches and the visiting crowd.

“We are FVL champs,” Esty said with excitement.

The crowd broke into cheers and No. 10 Placer had every reason to celebrate. The Hillmen held off a late comeback by 18th-ranked West Park in Roseville to win 42-35. The win secured a Foothill Valley League championship for Placer, its ninth title in 10 years.

The Hillmen struggled in 2021 and didn’t win a league title for the first time in eight seasons. Now at 9-0, Placer has a chance to become the fourth Placer team since 2012 to finish the regular season undefeated.

And this might be the most impressive one because of the circumstances.

“This is team is a team that has a chance to make a deep run,” Placer coach Joey Montoya said. “These kids get to be a part of something special and they already are. With what we have gone through the last two years, this is right up there with one of the more special ones.”

He added, “Last year was an unprecedented season for us. … So to bring the banner back (to our) stadium and Placer High School, I couldn’t be more proud.”

Jaden Suggs soaked in the moment. The 6-foot-3 running back had touchdown runs of 1, 2 and 5 yards. He had praise for his offensive line of Collin Bray, Blake Difede, Esty, Jason Ramirez and Mason Yokum.

“The offensive line made the hole massive,” Suggs said. “I can’t thank them enough for that. I take pride in being hard to take down. I proved that again.”

Suggs grew up going to Placer football games and was the water boy. He started playing football his freshman year of high school and learned from his older brother Isaiah, who also played running back at the Placer County school.

“I try and follow in his footsteps,” Suggs said. “It means the world to (play at Placer). Being able to go to this school and win league championships, I’m thankful.”

Suggs wasn’t the only running back who stepped up. Baylor Kelly had touchdown runs of 6 and 13 yards and Kosta Aleksic caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Joshua Craycraft.

Placer rushed for nearly 200 yards in the first half and lead 42-14 before West park scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives to cut the lead to seven. Panthers quarterback Develle Barksdale had touchdown runs of 7 and 15 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a 48-yard bomb to Kyle O’Dowd.

The Placer defense forced five turnovers and Aleksic, Isaiah Hanley and Mitchell Trnka all had interceptions. Bray had two sacks, including one in the second half to stall a West Park drive.

Montoya is impressed by what West Park is building in its second season of varsity football. Last year’s team featured only sophomores and juniors. Placer beat West Park 63-28 in the first round of the playoffs in 2021.

“(Coach Jason Tener) does a great job with them,” Montoya said. “They have phenomenal athletes across the board. Eventually, they’re going to be an enormous school. They’re going to keep getting better and better.”

Placer (9-0) will close the regular season on the road at Oakmont next Friday. West Park (7-1) ends with Lincoln on the road.