After steamrolling through the Metro League, the number two seeded Monterey Trail Mustangs finally reached what they have been waiting all season long for, the playoffs.

Being one of the top two seeded teams in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I Section Playoffs, along with top-ranked Folsom, the Mustangs received a first-round bye last week and hosted No. 7 Pitman who defeated No. 10 Davis last week 40-21 in the first round.

Although Monterey Trail is in the playoffs, this result looked a lot like the results it has put up week-in and week-out all season.

Behind a total team effort in all aspects of the game, Monterey Trail defeated Pitman 63-7 last Friday at home to reach the Division I semifinals.

“We were able to rest and watch Pitman and get some guys some extra rest and I think that was the key out there tonight,” said Monterey Trail head coach T.J. Ewing.

“We showed out depth tonight and we played a great complete game.”

From the opening kickoff, it was easy to see the bye week was a benefit to the Mustangs. As the Pride drove the ball down the field, Monterey Trail was able to force a fumble after a huge hit from Jehiel Budgett. On the very next play, and the Mustangs’ first offensive play of the game, running back Viktor Oliver ran right down the middle all the way for a 93-yard touchdown.

“I think that set the tone for the game and gave us some good momentum,” Ewing said.

The long touchdown run would not be Oliver’s only contribution though. The senior also added touchdown runs from five and three yards, respectively, in the first half alone. Oliver also added a 29-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to cap off his four-touchdown performance.

While Oliver was able to contribute in the backfield, the star of the night was Budgett. The senior made plays all over the field, on offense and defense, and showed why Monterey Trail is seeded so highly. In addition to creating the fumble on Pitman’s first series, Budgett forced another fumble in the second half which he recovered as well.

On the offensive side of the ball, Budgett scored twice on the ground from 57 yards and 39 yards, respectively, and was spectacular with the ball in his hands.

“The energy was really high from the whole team tonight and the offensive line was making blocks, which made it easy for me to go out there and make plays,” Budgett said.

All year long, Monterey Trail has been able to keep teams scratching their heads because of the amount of weapons they have all over the field. Last Friday was a prime example of that.

The Mustangs’ 63 points were the second-most they have scored this season and they got touchdown contributions from five different players.

“We have a lot of good players and, when you have a lot of good players playing in good spots, it’s hard to put a finger on one guy because you have to defend them all,” Ewing said.

“I give credit to our youth programs and coaches for allowing these kids to do their jobs and create the schemes for each team we face.”

With the victory, Monterey Trail moves on to the semifinals to host No. 3 Oak Ridge after their victory last Friday against No. 6 Turlock 27-9.

“We lost to them a couple of years ago but I think the difference this year is we have a lot more firepower to go against them and they are playing at our place this year,” Ewing said.

“We are excited and we respect the whole Oak Ridge program and coaches because of the great things they have done it really is an honor.”

Although Oak Ridge come into this Friday’s semifinal match up at 8-3, they play some top competition in the Sierra Foothill League from teams like Folsom and whom are the No. 1 seeded team in the Division II Playoffs.

The Trojans feature a balanced attack on offense and receive a lot of production on both sides of the ball from senior Nathan Addleman. Addleman is Oak Ridge’s top running back with over 600 yards and six touchdowns. Where Addleman really stands out is on the defensive side of the ball. Addleman has a knack for getting into the backfield and stopping the run as well as getting to the quarterback. He leads the Trojans in sacks with six.

Saturday's semifinal matchup will be at Monterey Trail High School on November 24, 2018 at 7 p.m.

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