My wife, Carmen and I took eight teenagers in one of our rafting vans to the Placer vs. Whitney section championship football game Friday night in Folsom.

The Placer side of the grandstands was packed. Publisher Tony Hazarian joined us along with a who’s who of Hillmen faithful. Placer has the most loyal group of fans of any high school team in the area.

The game didn’t turn out like we had hoped. But the crowd was filled with enthusiasm and the season as a whole exceeded expectations.

I attended every Hillmen home game and a few away games this year, including all three playoff games. I honestly think this year’s Hillmen team was more entertaining than the Kings, 49ers and Raiders and the admission price was a lot better.

I have been going to Placer football games for several years, win or lose, but it’s a lot more fun when the team is highly competitive. I heard former head coach Mike Sabins is coming back to help coach the team next year. That’s great for everyone involved. New head coach Joey Montoya has done an excellent job including the community and reviving the rich Hillmen tradition in bringing back former players and coaches.

My friend Gary Gutierrez, who is one of the most dedicated Colfax High School Falcon boosters you’ll ever meet, said Saturday that he was relieved the Hillmen did not beat Whitney on Friday night.

“If they did you guys would be closing down Interstate 80 for a parade,” Gutierrez said. “You would have thought they won the Super Bowl.”

It was a hell of run and a lot of fun. Considering the success this year’s junior varsity team enjoyed, next year might be even better.

The kids we took to the games had a great time cheering on their Hillmen classmates. Montoya and company are putting together a program that we can all be excited about.

Congratulations and thanks for the memories.