We saw two of the very best Division I programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section on Friday when Pleasant Grove ventured into Elk Grove.
No. 4 Elk Grove, with one returning starter back from its 12-1 bunch of 2007, prevailed 13-7 over No. 3 Pleasant Grove in a contest that was tense right to the end.
The teams came in with a combined 28-3 record the past two seasons. They're located barely three miles apart, adn there was subtle talk that the teams could meet again in the playoffs when Friday's result will officially be deemed ancient news.
The Thundering Herd used a 14-play, 80-yard, time-consuming drive to open the game, a third-quarter 1-yard touchdown plunge by Zach Miller and some sound defense down the stretch to extend its regular-season winning streak to 18 games.
Pleasant Grove fans packed its side of the bleachers, armed with a banner declaring the program's conference championship in 2007 and a rowdy student body.
Fans and parents bemoaned the officiating and howled that the referees had to be Elk Grove graduates (attenion everyone: there isn't a more absurd claim by parents over the years than the tired, worn-out claim of homer refs who wear the school colors on their skivvies).
Eagles coach Joe Cattolico said that his team was actually too excited, too geeked up (as the kids like to say). Yes, there was a suspect pass interference call late that hurt the Eagles, but dropped catches and being stopped twice on fourth down and not establishing much of a running game (besides two long gains) doomed Pleasant Grove.
The Eagles will recover just fine. It is a superbly coached outfit with a play-making, driven quarterback leader in Taylor Congdon, a shifty tailback in Michael Madkins, a strong defense headed by linebacker Peter Kelly and a do-all threats in Kevin Harris and Russell Vonschoech.
Elk Grove will also continue to thrive. Coach Chris Nixon has his bunch playing hard, intelligent and - at key times - mistake free. The offensive line has been superb, the running game balanced and the defense opportunistic with 13 turnovers in four games. And there are leaders in Brandon SooHoo, Bryce Harper, Luke Copp and others.
Baring a collapse or a rash of injuries, these programs could be on course to meet in November. Maybe December, in the City Championship game.
