It was 10 years ago this week, when the Fairfield Falcons and Elk Grove Thundering Herd last met in a post-season match up. Back in 1991, the Herd beat Fairfield in a classic battle 20-6 under then coach Ed Lombardi, and a few players by the name of MacDonald, Gallegos, and Kidd. Times have changed, and people have come and gone, but it is evident that the teams and spirit still remain intact. It was proof positive Friday night when these two programs crossed paths again, almost 10 years to the date, as Elk Grove beat Fairfield 34-12.

Early in the season, it would have been very hard to find someone willing to predict that Fairfield would be the Sac-Joaquin (South Region) Section participant, having lost to a mediocre Valley team out of Sacramento 9-7, and then to Monticello Empire League rival Vallejo convincingly 24-7. But it was in that third week when something happened. A decision was made on Monday of that week, that enough was enough. Several team leaders called on each other for a "gut-check".

Those leaders included representatives from the line, backfield, and linebackers, along with the Falcons' starting quarterback in David Dionne. It was time to get real. "Some of the guys got together and had a talk. It was deep. We were tired of losing, people weren’t taking all this too seriously and some people weren’t contributing enough. Some people felt that we were all wasting our time and some even wanted to quit. Then we all got together and had our words, got it all out and then things started to change. We started winning week in and week out. It became fun," shared one player, who insisted on anonimity.

From that third game when the Falcons beat the new school located in Vallejo, Bethel High School 27-7, the overall feeling was that of promise and opportunity.

Elk Grove came into Friday night’s showdown, appearing in its sixth Section Title game. Having only lost last year in overtime to the South’s Lincoln of Stockton 35-28, the members from last year’s squad were insistent on redemption. "We lost last year, and really felt that we should have won. The loss really hurt, and we just wanted the chance to come here this year and make things right," said Herd lineman Travis Johnson.

With outstanding scores by each of the Herd top playmakers, it was very ironic how they each managed to contribute at least one score each. Senior full back Allen Murray started first with an exciting 19 yard gallop into the end zone, practically untouched up the middle. Next, after missing a previous extra point attempt, kicker Clinton Languemi nailed a 30 yard field goal attempt. In the second quarter, Junior running back Tyrice Daniels scampered up the middle from eight yards, making his scoring contribution for the night. In the third quarter Herd quarterback Brandon Gross must have felt left out, because he made off for 12 yards on an option-keeper, scoring the Herd’s third touchdown on the night. In the fourth quarter, having one last key playmaker who hadn't scored, Gross threw deep on a 3rd down and four set up, finding the SJS #1 receiver (749 yds, 8 TDs) Tony Kays for a 38 yard touchdown reception.

Fairfield brought an extremely festive squad, along with a healthy crowd of support as well, filling three chartered buses full of students, compliments of Principal Vic Ramos. Coming into the game, the Falcons had managed to post 397 points on the season thus far, and actually held their opponents to 159 points. There were high hopes all around to go with that boost of confidence, but in the end, Elk Grove just had too many weapons and flat out got the job done.

Contributing factors for the Falcons did not go unnoticed though. Senior fullback Desmond Bishop broke into the end zone just before half-time, sending both teams into the locker room with the score 15-6. And in the fourth quarter, Senior running back Quinton Ganther squeaked by all Elk Grove defenders for a nine yard gallop, giving the Falcons some much needed hope as he set the score at 28-12. But the earlier second score by Elk Grove’s Murray put the game away with 3:51 left in regulation play.

"These kids from Fairfield played one great game tonight," said Herd Co-Head Coach Mike Clemmons. "They went through a lot to get here, and deserve all the credit in doing so. They are a fine ball club and a great group of young men."

Falcon Head Coach Randy Hood consoled his players after the game, and reassured them of their prior triumphs. "Back in week three, nobody believed we’d be here. You guys took charge and controlled your own destiny and that was beautiful. We got here, we are here now. Nobody else in the South was here."

So Elk Grove grabs it’s fifth Title, and Fairfield walks away hungry for more. It was a very exciting year in the Sac-Joaquin Section and the coming league and division realignment should prove to be peculiar if nothing else.

Till Next Season - See Ya ‘Round...