It was two years ago, on Nov. 10, when Lathrop’s football program began its evolution as a legitimate contender in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
The Spartans had just taken a 46-18 beating at the hands of top-seeded Casa Roble, which went on to win the SJS Division V championship.
“For us, even though we lost, we came away with a different mindset,” Lathrop coach Ryan Teicheira said. “They know how much that lost stung two years ago, on and off the field.
“What happened in that game is that a lot of young men realized when it’s OK to fight back and stand up to the bullies. When you get punched in the mouth, it’s how you respond. That’s been the motivation the last couple of years — let’s be those guys. Don’t take the first punch; deliver the blow first and make them react to us.”
Lathrop has been on an historic run since, winning back-to-back Western Athletic Conference titles while reaching the section semifinals in both seasons.
This latest semifinal matchup takes the Spartans back to where they had their epiphany. They’re headed back to Orangevale on Friday to face Casa Roble (10-1), which is again the No. 1 seed.
Fifth-seeded Lathrop has already pulled off one upset to get back to this point, knocking off No. 4 Lincoln last week 28-21 in a battle of two 9-1 teams.
“I thought we played really well,” Teicheira said. “They do a lot of things well at Lincoln, but our style of football showed up when it needed to. We were physical up front. I think we stuck true to what we do well and played within the tackles.”
Lathrop is hoping the same formula can work in the rematch against Casa Roble, which has been dominant on both sides of scrimmage since its 36-36 Week 1 loss at Ponderosa. The Rams averaged 41.2 points while giving up 10.5 in claiming the Golden Empire League championship. On the way, they handed Sutter — the No. 3 seed in this division — its lone loss of the season, 22-9. Sutter is the team that ousted Lathrop in the semifinals last season, 21-19.
Leading Casa Roble is senior quarterback Aidan Lopez, the third-leading passer in the SJS with 2,931 yards. He has completed 72.3 percent of passes for 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Folsom transfer Felix Rodriguez (40 receptions, 658 yards, six touchdowns; three interceptions) is a key two-way contributor and heads a loaded receiving corps that boasts size and speed. He’s one of five wide outs with at least 300 receiving yards and one of seven with at least three receiving touchdowns.
Running back Jaylan Barcenas (782 yards, 8.1 per carry, 11 TDs) is also a threat in the passing game (12 receptions, 275 yards, six TDs).
Casa Roble’s defense is anchored by linebacker Dunedin Tupou, who has produced 112 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.
“Their quarterback is really good, and they have some beef up front,” Teicheira said. “It’s the same style of play (as two years ago). They can get the ball around to everybody. All their receivers are dudes who can make plays, and they do a good job conceptually of getting guys open.
They are fast, athletic and physical, so we just have to be able to play controlled football and limit big plays.”
Aldo Calvillo, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound lineman, and linebacker Zander Freitag (97 tackles, 15 for losses, 3.5 sacks) are third-year seniors who played against Lathrop two years ago.
Lathrop’s two-way star, Pablo Peña also played in that game. He is the Spartans’ leading rusher (1,308 yards, 21 touchdowns) and tackler (103, 14 for losses). Treydon Santos (1,118 yards, 14 TDs) is the speed threat in their Wing-T attack.
While the effects of the Casa Roble game from two years ago are still felt today, the current Spartans are also motivated from their semifinal loss from last season. Multiple big mistakes kept Lathrop from reaching the final round for the first time.
“It left a bitter taste,” Teicheira said of the two-point heartbreaker against Sutter. Our kids think about it often and want a chance to get in the big section (final) game. They’re hungry to redeem themselves.”
