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Oakdale, Sierra To Battle For Football Section Title
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Oakdale head football coach Trent Merzon addresses his players following their semifinal win over Merced on Friday night, Nov. 22 at The Corral. They will play for the Section title on Nov. 30. See football story, additional photos in Sports, Page A9. Leader Photo By Jeremy Center

It will be an all-Valley Oak League final for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 football banner.

Oakdale, the No. 2 seed in the D4 playoffs, advanced to the finals with a convincing 51-27 win over No. 6 Merced on Friday night, Nov. 22 at The Corral.

Now, the Mustangs look to bring the CIF blue banner back to Oakdale, as they will face off with the Sierra Timberwolves for the title on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School in Stockton.

While Oakdale was taking care of business on Friday night, it was a tougher contest for Sierra. On the other side of the bracket, the No. 4 seed Timberwolves traveled to take down host and defending champion Rio Linda, the top seed in the division. Sierra held on in a close 21-14 contest.

That sets up the all-VOL finale for the Section crown.

Oakdale beat Sierra 38-14 six weeks ago during the regular Valley Oak League season and has long dominated this series: Since Sierra opened 25 years ago, the Timberwolves have one victory over the Mustangs.

Oakdale head coach Trent Merzon, however, isn’t surprised to be facing Sierra in the title game at Lincoln.

“I told the kids after we saw Sierra the first time, ‘We’re going to see this team again’,” Merzon said. “I like what I see from that bunch. Our kids like them. Sierra’s playing some good football. They’re very athletic and they beat the top seed. It’s a great game for the Valley Oak League.”