Clutch Victories

Oak Ridge football 24, Burbank 6 — In the semifinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff game, the visiting Trojans dominated the Titans start to finish in a Saturday afternoon game in Sacramento. For a second consecutive year, Oak Ridge knocked off Burbank in the postseason. Last year to open the playoffs, the Trojans edged the Titans 30-28 in a thriller.

Oak Ridge quarterback Jason Samuels completed 13 of 22 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns and defensive end Zach Claiborne registered seven tackles and 4 1/2 sacks.

El Dorado High volleyball vs. Rio Americano in D-III playoffs — The 13th seed Lady Cougars upset the 5th-seed Raiders 25-22, 25-22, 26-24 in Sacramento in a second-round playoff match. The hostile environment didn’t faze El Dorado which played a near flawless match under coach Sharon Hardy. The entire Cougar roster stepped up as the girls continued their late season drive for perfection.

Ponderosa High volleyball beating Del Oro at the Eagles’ nest — The Lady Bruins lost their first match in CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff match, but rallied back in the final three sets that was topped off by grounding the Golden Eagles in the fourth set, 25-10, to notch the win. Ponderosa came in seeking revenge after Del Oro knocked the Bruins out of the postseason last year in four sets.

Ponderosa softball 1, St. Francis 0 — The Lady Bruins’ early May win on the Troubadours’ field gave Ponderosa its first Delta River League and Division I title. Missy Silveira scored the lone run on a passed ball that gave pitcher Paris Hallums (three-hitter, 11 strikeouts) the only run she’d need. Ponderosa nailed the potential tying run at the plate in the seventh on a throw from Giana Bilotta to catcher Sky Jerpbak. The win gave the Bruins the No. 1 seed for the section playoffs.

Oak Ridge boys basketball 39, Sheldon 35 — An early league surprise last January, the Trojans shocked the regional basketball scene with their upset of the No. 1 ranked Huskies at home. Baskets by Bryce Scott and Matt Howard in the final minute broke a 35-all tie to give Troy the big win in coach Steve Scott’s first year back coaching the program he guided to the 2005 state title.

Ponderosa Junior Giants 10, Folsom 0 — Nicholas King pitched a three-hitter and struck out seven in the Giants’ June victory at Rasmussen Park for the District 54 Tournament of Champions title. The TOC banner was Ponderosa’s first at the Junior level since 1990. The 2012 Giants, coached by Mark Nagy, finished 22-4.