Playoff bound

Sonora rolls to 35-7 victory over Summerville as both teams earn postseason berths

The Sonora Wildcats came out on top Friday night in the annual rivalry game with the Summerville Bears to close out the regular season, with both teams now playoff-bound.

Sonora beat its cross-county rivals 35-7 at Dunlavy Field to finish the regular season with 6-3 overall record and 4-0 in the Mother Lode League, earning the Wildcats another MLL title and a bye week before hosting their first postseason game on Nov. 12.

As the No. 3 seed in the Sac-joaquin Section Division V championship bracket, Sonora will host the winner of this Friday’s game between the No. 6 Hilmar or No. 11 Los Banos.

The Wildcats were stung earlier in the season by the Hilmar Yellowjackets in a narrow 28-21 loss on the road.

Summerville was given the No. 11 seed in the Sac-joaquin Section Division VI championship bracket and will travel on Friday to face No. 6 seeded Waterford High School in the opening round.

The Bears finished with a 4-4 overall record and 2-2 in the MLL. With a win Friday, they would next face No. 3 Livingston.

Kim Jochim / Union Democrat Sonora lineman Jonah Gabel (79, top) brings down Summerville junior Kai Elkins (34) with help from fellow Wildcats Clay Woodridge (5) and Zach Steelman (3). Sonora running back Jackteem (2, above center) dives over Summerville seniortommy Warfield (22) at Dunlavy Field in the final game of the regular season Friday night. Wildcats lineman Zak Moore (50, above) chases down Summerville quarterback Braylon Leveroos (3) Friday night. Summerville junior Bradley “Dean”trimeloni (4, above left)) scores his team’s only touchdown Friday night against the Sonora Wildcats in the final game before the Bears enter the Sac-joaquin Section Division VI playoffs as the No. 11 seed.