Add Zebras to Placer’s list of rivals
The Placer High football team has developed heated rivalries with many a foe in the foothills. Del Oro, Colfax, Bear River and Nevada Union have all had their run-ins with the Hillmen over the past three decades. Lincoln has been the cordial, non-threatening neighbor to the north, up until now. If Friday’s gridiron showdown lives up to its billing, it could be the genesis of a Placer-Lincoln rivalry to match any in the area. “It’s going to be a heck of a game,” said former Placer coach Bill Miller, who guided the Hillmen to their last section title (1981) and their last undefeated season (1980). “Placer played Lincoln at least once (when I coached) but they weren’t the team they are now.” The two foothill foes have both endured long championship droughts. The Hillmen or the Zebras could take a huge step toward a Pioneer Valley League title on Friday when they square off at LeFebvre Stadium. Beyond the PVL title hopes, both teams are undefeated at 7-0 and both are jockeying for playoff position in the Sac-Joaquin Section’s new postseason format. Like Placer, Lincoln’s best days on the football field were some 30 years ago. The Zebras had a glorious run in the mid-1970s in the Pioneer League, which included Colfax, Del Oro, Wheatland and Truckee. Meanwhile the Hillmen were dominating the Sierra Foothill League, going up against Nevada Union, Yuba City and Roseville. Miller guided Placer to five Sac-Joaquin Section Division II titles between ‘75 and ’81. Lincoln infamously joined the SFL in ’80 and promptly went winless. In ’81 the Zebras refused to play in the SFL in football, opting to play an independent schedule. Lincoln had little to cheer about as recent as last season. The Zebras suffered through a miserable 1-9 campaign under coach Ken Lowe, who introduced the wing-T offense last year. Placer’s fortunes were similar prior to last season. The Hillmen hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2000 before coach Joey Montoya guided Placer to an 8-5 campaign in 2008. Placer stunned Oakdale and Dixon in the playoffs before falling to Whitney in the Division IV championship game. Miller has seen all of Placer’s games this season and said he wouldn’t miss Friday’s showdown. “From what I hear, Lincoln is big and mobile,” said Miller, Montoya’s grandfather. “It’s going to be a task to beat them.”
|
Change Location:
|
Placer played Lincoln in both 79 and 80 If I remember correctly, and both were blow outs. Also, Mr Mordhorst, I think that whenever you mention Placers glory days that Tom Johnson should be in the same breath as coach Miller. I love Bill like a father. I was a gaurd under his watchfull eye on two championship teams and later coached with him at NU so I know he desearves all the credit he gets and more. But too often Tom Johnson is left out of those articles. Johnson was the Co head coach of those teams and nothing short of a defensive genius! He was a Rohdes Scholar who played for John Mackay at USC for goodness sake. In fact, much of what he taught me 30 years ago (I alo played LBfor the Hillmen) still stands up as effeciant technique and scheme in todays game. I know because I still teach it to players and have been teaching it for years at the high school and college levels and it has produced success. I hope that the next mention of our Championship run of yesteryear will include the other half of the brain trust of those years. A lot of Hillmen alum would agree with me and appreciate the nod. Just my two cents.