Prep notes: Fairfield ends losing streak; Mira Loma back runs wild; Yuba City sack master
For all of the opening-night victories on the Sacramento-area high school football front, no one rejoiced quite like a team from Solano County.
In crushing Cordova 49-0 on Aug. 18 at home at Shaefer Stadium, the Fairfield Falcons stomped out a dreadful 38-game losing streak. It was the program’s first win since the start of the 2018 season, almost five years to the day since the team’s last triumph. Fairfield has experienced football success in past decades past, but the program has been in decline in recent years due in part to low roster numbers and a seemingly constant turnover of coaches.
The only joy in losing streaks is halting them, and the next program eager to do so was Riverbank High of Stanislaus County. The Bruins ended their 42-game losing streak on Thursday with a 28-6 win over Valley.
The Sac-Joaquin Section and Northern California record for consecutive losses is held, begrudgingly, by Bella Vista at 48, a streak that ended in 2021. And proof that teams can turn in a hurry: Bella Vista went 5-5 last season under coach Jim Gray.
For Fairfield on Friday, Jaiden Lewis-Chandler returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Tristen Smith passed for three touchdowns and ran for another for coach Alex Hubbard.
Sack master
In just 30 snaps against Natomas, Cesar Gonzalez of Yuba City got defensive. The lineman had 14 solo tackles and a section-record-tying six sacks in a 45-12 victory. Gonzalez’s coaches rave about his effort and humility and how he lets his play do all the talking.
Gonzalez tied the section record for sacks in a game shared by Art Miranda of Linden in 1982 and Eric Thomas of Merced in 1990, according to the Cal-Hi Sports online record book. On the topic of sacks, defensive lineman ace Mason Vicari had four in a 26-6 win for Christian Brothers at Reno.
No fighting
The El Capitan of Merced vs. Delhi game was stopped by referees in the third quarter because multiple fights broke out, a game live streamed on the NFHS Network. The footage shows three different fights breaking out with punches before coaches could restore order. El Capitan was leading 13-7.
The section office is reviewing referee reports and game film, according to section commissioner Will DeBoard. CIF bylaws stipulate that players who fight or those who leave the sideline are subject to a three-game suspension. This also includes preseason scrimmages, which is why Oak Ridge and Sheldon were missing players on opening night.
A back to behold
Brad Williams rushed for 285 yards on 42 carries as a sophomore at Mira Loma in 2022. On Saturday night against Valley Christian of Roseville, he had a breakout performance.
Williams had 20 carries for 307 yards and four touchdowns, a whopping 15.4 yards per carry, in a 46-34 victory. He also caught two touchdown passes from Brennan Collins, who passed for 150 yards and rushed for 119.
Williams had 386 yards of total offense, made five tackles and broke up two passes.
The thrill of victory
The longest losing streaks in Sac-Joaquin Section history:
48 — Bella Vista, 2015-21
42 — Riverbank, 2018-present
38 — Fairfield, 2018-23
36 — McClatchy, 2002-05
34 — Colfax, 1971-75
32 — Ione, 1964-68
32 — Natomas, 2010-13
31 — Mira Loma, 2013-16
30 — Rio Linda, 1980-83
28 — Mira Loma, 2017-21
28 — Sacramento, 1982-85
28 — Kennedy, 2009-13
28 — Encina, 1987-90
28 — Encina, 2009-12
26 — Galt, 2019-22
Sacramento Bee research and Cal-Hi Sports
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM.