Up a division? No problem for SJM which claims its third straight section football title

San Joaquin Memorial High beat Tulare Western 35-16 Friday night for its third straight Central Section football championship.

The Panthers won two straight in Division III, earning a move up to D-II this year.

No problem as Memorial (12-1) roared to the crown as the No. 1 seed.

The Panthers also beat Tulare Western for the 2017 title.

Overall, Memorial has won nine section titles, the first in 1953. No. 3 seed Tulare Western (11-3) was looking for its first section title but has been in three finals under coach Ryan Rocha.

The Panthers took command early, jumping to a 28-8 halftime lead highlighted by Washington recruit Jalen McMillan’s 79-yard touchdown pass from Finn Collins.

Memorial advances to the CIF regionals. Pairings will be announced Sunday.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 10:27 PM.