Summerville Bear quarterback Zach Roberson was named Most Valuable Player of the Mother Lode League.

“Well,” said Bears head coach Ben Watson, “it was a pretty easy choice for the guys (MLL coaches). As soon as we walked in the room to decide, they all felt that Zach was the league’s MVP — the guy that most helped make our stuff go.”

The Bears won the league championship with a perfect 5-0 record.

Summerville senior Beau Bachtelle was awarded “MLL Lineman of the Year.”

“Beau did a great job on both sides of the ball,” said Watson. “He was so tough on our defensive line, but his outstanding pass protection (at left tackle) was where he made his name.”

Watson was named “MLL Coach of the Year.”

Calaveras junior tailback Monti Wilson was awarded “MLL Co-Offensive Player of the Year” (with Linden receiver Aaron Judge). Redskin senior middle linebacker Gary Gellerman was named “MLL Co-Defensive Player of the Year” (with Argonaut linebacker Zach Devaney).

Seniors Jonny Lora and Carson Klein, Bret Harte’s dynamic duo at linebacker, each earned First-Team All-League honors.
   

Wildcat senior star running back Dan Link (10) finished his Sonora career with another outstanding game. AMY ALONZO ROZAK?UNION DEMOCRAT

The Sonora Wildcat football team did everything but win the game Friday night against Placer in the semifinals of the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section Championships.

The Wildcats played their game and were successful.

“Sonora did a great job of ball-controlling us,” said Montoya.

Sonora’s rushing attack outgained the Hillmen 292-195. Sonora had more first downs 17-11. Sonora had more total yards 377-333. Each team had one turnover. Sonora dominated time of possession 32:35-15:25.

But the only statistic, and most important, was the final score: Placer 15, Sonora 14

Sonora senior star running back Dan Link has gained yardage like no other in Wildcat history.

Link, with his outstanding performance through 12 games, has surpassed the single-season rushing record for the Wildcats.

With his 203 yards last week, Link eclipsed the mark of 1,563 yards set in 1978 by Mark McColloch. Link now has 1,600 yards on the season.

The Sonora Wildcat defense has set the tone all year with their physical play. Last week the Wildcats shut down an explosive Lincoln offense. Above, Ryan Kelly (56) and Dan West (64) lead a contingent of Wildcats in rudely greeting a Lincoln ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. AMY ALONZO ROZAK/UNION DEMOCRAT

The No. 4 seeded Wildcats are fresh off an upset victory over top-seeded Lincoln last week.

Placer defeated the Calaveras Redskins last week 43-23 and will host their third straight playoff game.

“We’re definitely the underdogs,” said first-year Wildcat head coach Bryan Craig. “We’re going to their field. They have a strong tradition up there and looking at them on film — I think they are the best team out of that league. So there’s no doubt we’re the underdog.”

“Stud!” said senior slotback Brendon Kamler in describing Sonora Wildcat star fullback Dan Link. “One word — stud. He definitely carried us tonight. Big plays, big first downs — he’s a great running back.”

Sonora star fullback Dan Link was unstoppable Friday night in the Wildcats’ 36-20 upset over the top seed in the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section Championships quarterfinal football game.

Sonora Wildcat cornerback Dan Molieri at 5-foot-8 and 145 pounds, brings down Lincoln 6-5, 255-pound tight end Juan Castillo. AMY ALONZO ROZAK/UNION DEMOCRAT

The No. 1 seed-Lincoln Fighting Zebras had seized the momentum from Sonora with two touchdowns on its last two drives of the third quarter. They cut into a 28-7 deficit and now had the ball on their own 20-yard line.

“Their offense did some things in the third quarter that caught us off guard,” said Wildcat head coach Bryan Craig. “They made a couple of adjustments that they hadn’t shown — so we were scrambling to make some adjustments to that.”

The Wildcats made adjustments just in time.

“I love every single guy on this football team like a brother,” said Summerville High School senior star lineman Beau Bachtelle, moments after the 2009 Bears’ season concluded in Modesto. “I can’t believe it’s all over.”

Central Catholic defeated the Bears 45-21 in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championships on Friday night.

Through a flood of tears, Bachtelle said, “This was the most incredible year I’ve ever had in football. I’ve wanted to be the Mother Lode League champion since the day I was born — and we did it. I’m satisfied with that ... but I wanted a little more.”
   

The Sonora Wildcats girls basketball team opened its season Monday with a 40-28 win against the Livingston Wolves.

Led by the inside play of seniors Amanda Tye and Brittany Malone, the Wildcats scored the last 10 points to win going away.

“I really thought that Brittany Malone and Amanda Tye did a good job for us inside,” said Wildcat coach Lloyd Longeway.