Wildfires extinguished by Mira Loma in D8 championship game

Saturday's Sac-Joaquin Section Division VIII football championship game between Mira Loma and Foresthill showcased two programs that have completely revitalized themselves since transitioning to 8-man football. Each school entered the matchup chasing their first section title in football, and top-seeded Mira Loma controlled the game, pulling away for a 48-14 victory to complete a perfect season. Mira Loma coach Jesse Collins praised his team's offseason commitment, noting the remarkable turnaround from a depleted 2024 squad that finished with just 17 players. "I just have joy for the kids. I'm so happy for them," said Collins. "They suffered through a 2-8 season last year, just getting hammered in league, and to come back this year with a good attitude and focus on getting better, that just says a lot to their characters." Junior quarterback DeAngelo Keys powered the Matadors, passing for 113 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 179 yards and two scores. He set the tone early, breaking loose on fourth down for a 75-yard touchdown run to put Mira Loma up 8-0. Keys added two more scores in the final minute of the first half. He dashed in from 14 yards out with 36 seconds left to make it 24-6, and after Foresthill turned it over on downs with two seconds remaining, Keys found freshman Keion Kado for a 20-yard touchdown strike to blow the game open. Foresthill tried to claw back in the third quarter. David Silveria returned the opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildfires recovered a fumble moments later. But Mira Loma quickly steadied itself. The Matadors forced a punt, then slammed the door midway through the fourth when Kado jumped a route for a pick six. A 66-yard scoring run by Francis Arizmendez sealed Mira Loma's championship coronation. Collins said he was not surprised by Mira Loma's ability to keep its composure, noting it's how the Matadors carried themselves all season. "They got to a point where they've understood that not every game is going to be easy," said Collins. "They had to fight through adversity, and I always tell them that championship character is shown in adverse situations." Foresthill senior running back Vincent Navarro, who entered the game with more than 1,500 yards rushing in the previous four games. amassed 144 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. The Matadors limited the damage Navarro could do. Foresthill coach Nick Gleason had high praise for Navarro, who finished the season as one of the top 8-man rushers in the state. "He is probably one of the most entertaining players that has ever come through our program (in) 20-plus years. It's going to be tough to find somebody that could ever beat the stats he put up this year," said Gleason, a Foresthill alum himself. "He deserves to be playing at the next level. Somebody, I don't know whether it's community college or some other school, needs to give him a look. Call me. I'll get you some film. This kid is amazing." Gleason said he was proud of his team for fighting through adversity and reaching the section championship game for the first time in 13 years. "I couldn't ask for a better first year and I couldn't ask to do it with better kids," said Gleason. "I'm so glad I was able to get them such a fun season and that they have an accomplishment to hang on their shelves. These kids deserve the world." Gleason said this season set a new standard for Foresthill football and he believes the Wildfires can find themselves at Hughes Stadium again in the coming years. "I take this as a sign that we have the ability now that we're playing on the level playing field with 8-man football. We can take this as a sign that we are a contender every year that we play," said Gleason. "As long as the kids come out and keep putting in the effort like they did this season, we should be able to get here again." Foresthill finished 10-2 overall, matching the program record for wins in a season. Mira Loma (12-0) finished with its fifth undefeated season in program history and first since 1972.