Mendota, Lemoore fall in CIF playoffs to end Fresno-area high school football season
Mendota and Lemoore, the only Fresno-area high school football teams playing in CIF playoff games, both fell.
In Mendota, the host Aztecs lost to Pinole Valley of the east Bay Area 34-21 in the Division 7-AA state title game on Saturday evening. Southern California didn’t send any teams to the division, making Saturday’s game the championship.
Mendota coach Beto Mejia praised his team for a season highlighted by winning the Central Section Division VI title over Hanford West.
“It was a great accomplishment to win another section title — fourth overall,” he said. “Hosting a state title game in Mendota is a blessing in itself. Kids dealt with adversity throughout the year, but stayed the course and trusted each other and coaches. That allowed us to make a run here at the end of the season.”
Mendota finished the season 9-6 overall.
The Aztecs cut Pinole Valley’s lead to 27-21 with five minutes remaining. But the Spartans got a late touchdown to seal the win.
Lemoore falls in NorCal
Lemoore lost 49-35 to McClymonds in the NorCal Division 2-AA game Friday night in Oakland.
Lemoore won the Central Section Division II title by defeating Central Valley Christian.
Lemoore had a 7-0 lead, but the Warriors tied the game and took the lead in the second quarter before Andrew Moench scored on a 3-yard run to tie the game.
Defending state champion McClymonds scored 21 unanswered points to pull away.
