Burden carries Bradshaw Christian to win over Union Mine in Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs

Bradshaw Christian High School steamrolled through Union Mine of El Dorado 41-7 on Friday night in South Sacramento to advance to the semifinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs.

The visiting Diamondback hoped to avenge their league opener loss against the Pride suffered earlier this season. Like that Sierra Valley Conference opener, Union Mine held Bradshaw scoreless through the first quarter and halfway through the second, but then it was all BC.

Bradshaw Christian coach Drew Rickert said it was a tough game because it was their second time playing a familiar opponent.

“They’re in the league, and you beat them, so you kind of come in, sometimes, overconfident,” Rickert said. “Our kids focused this week. We had a great week of practice and they just wanted to play.”

An interception by senior Gabriel Viegas saved an early touchdown for the Pride late in the first quarter. Rickert said his team played nearly a “mistake free” game.

“Defense played huge tonight,” he said. “I thought we ran the ball well. We threw the ball where we needed to. So it was nice.”

Bradshaw Christian opened the scoring when Brandon Burden found the end zone on a 25-yard run with 6:13 left in the second quarter. His other score was a 68-yard rush touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“Every single run, I was just trying to get four (yards),” Burden said. “Every single run. I know my line is blocking for me, so I got to run it for them. I’m just trying to do the best I possibly can for the team. It was a team effort.”

The Pride had four different players score a rushing touchdown: Burden, Nathan Zeppieri, Mateo Mojica and quarterback Ethan Rickert, son of the coach. Rickert also threw a touchdown, connecting with Zeppieri on a 27-yard strike late in the second quarter for a 13-0 lead.

The son calls his father “coach” when he’s at practice or in games.

“Coach puts me in a good spot to make opportunities to make plays and I just try to capitalize on these opportunities as best as possible,” Ethan Rickert said. “We just came prepared. We had a nice bye week. So we came up prepared and we executed well.”

The Pride hung their hats on defense, as they did all season. Their stingy defense has not allowed a team to score more than 14 points on them. .

“Our defense is playing well. They’re coached well, they’re just a bunch of kids that like to get out there and play football and are excited,” coach Rickert said. “They like to have fun and they enjoy each other. It’s fun seeing a bunch of kids who play together and enjoy it.”

Mojica leading the way for small schools

Coach Rickert praised the play of one of his team leaders, Mojica, who does it on both ends for the Pride.

Mojica leads the team with 106 tackles and in total rushing yards (1,066) and touchdowns (10).

“This kid, Mateo, our leader of that defense, just gets out there,” Rickert said. “He’s an unbelievable kid. The thing people don’t realize is he is a good football player, but he’s a better kid. He works hard in the class and works hard on the field. He’s our leader.”

Mojica is a candidate for The Bee’s Player of the Year honors, which includes players for small, medium and large schools.

“Looking at the Top 15 SacBee Player of the Year candidates, it felt good,” Mojica said. “It was a little surprising. You’re looking up there, Wayshawn Parker (of Grant) and Carter Jackson (of Granite Bay), all those guys up there from big-time schools. It’s good to be out there competing, getting notice from a small school like Bradshaw.”

Mojica began playing football because he was inspired by his cousin, Josh Letuligasenoa, a former Elk Grove High star and Cal Poly football player. Letuligasenoa now coaches the defensive line at Cal Poly, which will visit Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference game Saturday.

Mojica’s father, Ryan, said that Player of the Year mentions are “incredible.”

“What a testament. It’s heartwarming. I’m very proud of him, man,” the elder Mojica said. “Just to be nominated and just to be recognized with all those other kids from bigger schools.”

The younger Mojica knows that football can be a gateway to life after high school. But while he’s playing, he is focused on getting to the section championship game. That quest will continue when the Pride visits No. 2-seeded Sonora in next week’s semifinals.

This story was originally published November 11, 2023 at 12:26 AM.