Turlock has been one of the top programs in the southern half of the Sac-Joaquin Section, including six undefeated league records in the past eight seasons. However, that hasn’t translated into long playoff runs.

The Bulldogs set out to change that with increased speed work and more weight lifting time to develop a faster and stronger team.

“We haven’t felt like we were the fastest team on the field,” head coach James Peterson said. “We worked on it in the off-season to be faster. Now, we have guys that can fly.”

In addition to that work was another difficult non-league schedule which included losses to Folsom (9-1), Central-Fresno (9-2) and Rocklin (8-2). Since the 1-3 start, the Bulldogs have won seven in a row including a 33-14 win over fellow SJS Division I quarterfinalist Downey.

“We are really complimenting each other in every phase of the game,” Peterson said. There is no superhero.”

One player who has stood out is quarterback Scout Silva, who has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdown passes and has added 10 rushing scores. Senior wide receiver Junior Silva has 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while junior Landyn Fitzgerald has seven touchdown catches.

“(Scout) is a real sharp guy. He is calm in those big moments and can extend plays,” Peterson said.

Defensively, Turlock held its five league opponents to 27 combined points with standout players like Jeremiah Stine and Kaeden Patterson

While Turlock won the CCAL, it missed on its goal of being a top four seed in the playoffs. As the No. 5 seed, they beat Laguna Creek 48-12 in the first round and will now travel to No.4 seed Central Catholic in the first ever meeting between these programs.

“We say we are the team for the 209 and now we have to prove it,” Peterson said of the matchup.