Nitterhouse runs wild as Woodcreek spoils Armijo’s playoff debut. ‘A reputation to uphold’
On paper, the 8-9 seeding matchup between Woodcreek and Armijo might have favored the team from Fairfield.
First, Woodcreek’s star player, Brody Krupp, who has earned the nickname “Mr. Woodcreek” for being one of the few four-year varsity players in program history, was sitting out and following concussion protocol.
Secondly, the Armijo Royals had been one of the feel-good stories of this year’s postseason field. Armijo had built up all kinds of momentum as co-champions of the Greater Sacramento League and was riding an emotional high after reaching the postseason for the first time in school history.
A school that opened in 1891, Armijo has had a handful of future NFL players graduate from its Fairfield campus, including George Martin, a defensive end who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 1986 and is a member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor. His younger brother, Doug Martin, also enjoyed a 10-year NFL career at nose tackle with the Minnesota Vikings. But never has the school seen the postseason in football.
“I remember what that feeling was like after not going to the playoffs for a decade,” Woodcreek head coach Brad Hunkins said of Armijo. “These 8-9 games are scary because both teams are pretty much equal. Armijo’s got something to prove, and we have a reputation to uphold and keep going as a team that turns it up in the playoffs.”
Turning up was an understatement for the host Timberwolves of Roseville on Friday. As the No. 8 seed in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff opener, Woodcreek steamrolled No. 9 Armijo, 56-33, to advance to the section quarterfinals.
“Practice was great all week,” said Woodcreek senior Kegan Nitterhouse. “Our linemen got their stuff together, and everyone did a great job.”
Nitterhouse rushed for more than 200 yards in the first half alone as Woodcreek built a 42-12 halftime lead. Nitterhouse had a grand total of 149 rushing yards for the entire season coming into Friday.
The Timberwolves have now won at least one playoff game in three straight seasons. Earlier in the week, Hunkins said his team has been playing what felt like postseason games all year long.
“Our league had six playoff teams, and we ended up playing eight playoff teams, in total,” Hunkins said. “And really, Whitney was a playoff game for us. If we don’t win that one, we’re not having this conversation right now.”
Armijo struck first with a 24-yard strike from Willie Nickson to Korey Choyce for a quick 6-0 Royals lead. Woodcreek immediately responded on the ensuing kickoff as Tanner McSweeney took a 91-yard return home to put the Timberwolves in front, 7-6.
Woodcreek scored 42 unanswered points in the first half. Nitterhouse scored three first-half touchdowns on runs of 12, 6 and 93 yards, while Trace Murchison ran for two scores and had two interceptions on defense.
Nickson had a TD pass to TJ Harrell from 5 yards out to close the first half at 42-12, Woodcreek.
The first offensive play of the third quarter saw Jack Torrey take a handoff 65 yards to the end zone to extend Woodcreek’s lead to 49-12. Josiah Melendez then found Cruz Toro for a 44-yard TD connection that made it 56-12.
Nickson, the steady and stealthy Royals QB, ran in a short score at the end of the third and hit Davion Pickettay and Choyce for scoring connections of 90 and 10 yards, respectively, in the fourth for Armijo.
Despite the loss, Armijo has established a new winning culture under head coach Don Mosley.
“I saw this moment,” Mosley said. “It took five years for us to get here. We had to go through ups and downs, but if you play this game right, the game will bless you back.”
Woodcreek advances to play top-seeded Oakdale of the Valley Oak League in the D-III quarterfinals next Friday.
Nick Pecoraro is a sports journalist and host of “Premier Preps with Nick Pecoraro,” a weekly prep show available on YouTube that recaps games and teams in the Sacramento area each week. Find it at youtube.com/@PremierPreps.