ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The end of regular season games brings the postseason, whether teams are playing in a bowl game or in the playoffs.    

Friday, Nov. 7 was the first night of the postseason, with four teams from the Delta League competing in bowl games. Pleasant Grove, Elk Grove, Laguna Creek and Franklin all played in bowl games against high schools from out of the area.    

Although some may say a bowl game for high school is unnecessary, it brings one more opportunity for the players to leave everything on the field. And for the seniors who are not planning to play football in college, it was their final opportunity to strap on their helmets and play.      

Pleasant Grove traveled up to Roseville to play West Park after the Eagles had beaten Laguna Creek in their final game of the regular season.    

West Park was able to strike first in the first quarter to gain early momentum and was able to carry that through the first half. The Panthers’ offense and defense were able to make statements by securing a 21-0 lead going into halftime.     

 

Safety Davian Jimenez, No. 18, makes a tackle on third down.

Pleasant Grove continued to fight through the second half; however, West Park was able to score 12 more points while keeping the Eagles’ offense scoreless.

Although the Eagles lost 33-0, they still had a tremendous season, finishing 7-4 on the year with their first-year head coach.  

Laguna Creek traveled down to Stockton to take on Stagg High School in their bowl game, looking to finish the season on a high note.      

Both teams were able to score a touchdown in the first quarter, but Stagg missed the extra-point attempt to tie the game.

However, in the second quarter, Laguna Creek was able to score 23 unanswered points, going into halftime with a 30-6 lead.                   

Heading into the second half, the Cardinals had all of the momentum, but the Delta Kings were not going to finish the season without a fight. Finding a second wind for its offense, Stagg was able to score throughout the rest of the game.          

After the damage in the second quarter, Laguna Creek was able to hold its lead throughout the second half. The Cardinals won their final game in controllable fashion, 64-41, and finished their season on a high note to raise their record to 5-6.                             

Elk Grove was the only school in the Delta League to host a bowl game, taking on Vista del Lago.         

 

Brayden Ford, No. 8, sheds a block attempt.

   

Vista struck first with a touchdown to take an early lead. But Elk Grove was able to rattle off multiple touchdowns in response to take a commanding 21-7 lead late in the second quarter.      

Vista del Lago did not back down and was able to score a touchdown before halftime to cut the lead to just 7, gaining a little momentum just before halftime.                            

The Eagles were able to take that momentum from their previous touchdown and carry it through the second half by continuing to score on offense while shutting down the Thundering Herd offense.

Elk Grove was able to score just one more touchdown in the second half, which was not enough to keep the lead. When the final buzzer sounded, Elk Grove had lost 28-38, which dropped their record to 4-7.

In the final bowl game, Franklin traveled up to Rocklin to play Whitney.

Both teams were able to score within the first quarter, trading touchdowns, and Whitney was able to take a 13-6 lead going into the second quarter.

The second quarter is where Franklin was able to flip the score and take the lead. The Wildcats scored 21 unanswered points going into halftime and went up 28-13.     

 

The Elk Grove offense breaks huddle.

                        

The game was far from over, though, as the second half was filled with offense on both sides. Whitney owned the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns while holding Franklin to zero and cutting the lead to just one point.                          

However, Franklin dominated the fourth quarter, putting up 24 points to extend its lead and win the game 52-27. The Wildcats finished their season with an outstanding record of 8-3.                  

With the bowl games over, now come the playoffs where teams fight to win a section championship and hopefully the State Championship.    

The only team that was able to make the playoffs in the Delta League was Monterey Trail, with a home game against Inderkum at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.