Rocklin thumps Elk Grove, next faces Manteca

For the fourth consecutive year, Rocklin High School's football team has reached the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals. The Thunder have become synonymous with success since the pandemic, reaching two section championships and winning one. Following a 49-41 drubbing of No. 8 Elk Grove on Nov. 15 in the Division II quarterfinals, the top-seeded Thunder are one win away from returning to the section championship game yet again. Rocklin took control early, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and building a 35-7 cushion at the half. Six players found the end zone for the Thunder, as they scored on offense, defense and special teams in the lopsided victory. Quarterback Reeve Slone completed 9 of 12 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Senior receiver Mavrik Collins had four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Rafi Merino, Derek Keeley and Alex Durham each had scoring runs, with Merino leading the way with a game-high 62 yards on nine carries. Keeley added 45 yards on six carries while Jack Peyton had 24 yards on five rushes. Defensively, the Thunder held Elk Grove to 62 yards rushing on 33 carries. Elk Grove's David Hale and Alphonso Moore entered the game each averaging more than 80 yards per game, but the Thunder held them to 17 and 12 yards. The Thundering Herd didn't going through the air either, as they completed just half of their passes for 107 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Keeley and Durham led the charge defensively for Rocklin, totaling 11 and 10 tackles. Mikey Cunningham had six tackles. Keeley, Durham and Devin Paugh each had a tackle for loss and Dominic Coelho had a sack. Josiah Andrews nabbed an interception and Collins had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Andrews also had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown for Rocklin. The Thunder (9-2) faces No. 4 Manteca (10-1) on Friday night in a battle of the last two Division II section champions. Friday will mark the second time Rocklin and Manteca have met in the semifinals in the last three years, with the Buffaloes winning 34-28 in 2022. Friday's winner will face either No. 2 St. Mary's or No. 3 Grant in the championship game Nov. 29 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.