Regional & National Sports

Johansen High senior Sadie Coenen signed a national letter of intent to play softball for San Jose State.

Sadie Coenen, of Johansen High, takes a swing at a pitch during the Vikings’ game against the Davis Spartans at Rainbow Fields. Davis won the game 3-2. (Debbie Noda / dnoda@modbee.com) - -

Johansen High senior Sadie Coenen has signed her national letter of intent to play softball for San Jose State. Coenen’s high school career batting average is .422 with an on-base percentage of .550. - -

Local college and high school results from the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

It was a disappointing start to the Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs if you're a Stanislaus District fan. Only 12 of the 25 teams made it past the first round -- though the figure should have been 15 or 16 teams.

Modesto Christian's #3- Keaton Engel running ball, Escalon's #66- Travis Cardoza, MC's #57- Kris Mora. November 6, 2009 (BART AH YOU/bahyou@modbee.com) - -

A look at the top players during the Sac-Joaquin Section playoff openers.

A look at the top teams after the first week of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- If there are two schools of thought about how a rookie quarterback should be brought up in the NFL, Alex Smith would be Exhibit A and Aaron Rodgers would be Exhibit B.

ALAMEDA -- The week after Bruce Gradkowski made his Raiders debut, in that 38-0 embarrassment courtesy of the New York Jets, the journeyman was forced to rub shoulders with the unwashed masses.

Both Modesto High and Los Banos had ample opportunities to seize the victory in Friday night's playoff game, so it was only a twist of fate that the decision came down to kickers. And in overtime, when the host Tigers made their extra point after the Panthers had missed.

Gene Lieb/Los Banos Enterprise The Los Banos sideline goes crazy after kicking the extra point in overtime to win the game against Modesto Friday night. Coach Carlos Campos is in the middle. - Los Banos Enterprise -

Gene Lieb/Los Banos Enterprise The Los Banos sideline waits in watches as the extra point go through the uprights to score the extra point and win the game Friday night against Modesto High. - Los Banos Enterprise -

OAKDALE -- The Oakdale High football team waited a year to exorcise the demons of last season's first-round section playoff loss to Placer.

DARRYL BUSH/dbush@modbee.com Oakdale High's Tim House (10) dives for a touchdown in 2nd qtr. action, between Oakdale High School vs. Natomas High School in regional football playoffs at Oakdale High School in Modesto, on Friday, November 20, 2009. - Modesto Bee - Darryl Bush

DARRYL BUSH/dbush@modbee.com Oakdale High's Devin Brooks (22) runs for a big gain in the 1st qtr. action, between Oakdale High School vs. Natomas High School in regional football playoffs at Oakdale High School in Modesto, on Friday, November 20, 2009. - Modesto Bee - Darryl Bush

Ice-baths and trophies punctuated a happy end to the Modesto Junior College football season. Coach Sam Young got wet as he and quarterback Greg Panelli clutched trophies, the harvest Saturday afternoon of the Pirates' 54-13 dismantling of San Jose in the 17th Graffiti Bowl.

(BART AH YOU/bahyou@modbee.com) Modesto Junior College #47- Stefan Palacio recovers a San Jose City College fumble and scores a TD. November 21, 2009 - Modesto Bee - Bart Ah You

(BART AH YOU/bahyou@modbee.com) Modesto Junior College QB #16- Greg Panelli under pressure as San Jose City College's #56- Tristan Coleman rushes. November 21, 2009 - Modesto Bee - Bart Ah You

STANFORD -- The California players listened quietly all week to the pregame talk about how suddenly powerful Stanford had a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. The Golden Bears provided their emphatic answer in one of the most exciting Big Games in recent memory.

Players and fans hold the battle ax, given to the winners of the California and Stanford rivalry, in a NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. California won 34-28. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) - AP - Marcio Jose Sanchez

Tiger Woods, center, throws the ceremonial first coin as Stanford and California players look on during the first quarter of a NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) - ASSOCIATED PRESS - Marcio Jose Sanchez

Shane Vereen ran for a career-high 193 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries and Mike Mohamed intercepted a pass from Andrew Luck at the 3 with less than 2 minutes left as California spoiled No. 14 Stanford's Rose Bowl hopes with a 34-28 victory in the Big Game on Saturday.

California quarterback Kevin Riley, top left, is lifted by teammates and fans after a win over Stanford during a NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Caifornia won 34-28. - AP Photo - Marcio Jose Sanchez

California quarterback Kevin Riley runs out of the pocket during the second quarter of a NCAA college football against Stanford game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. - AP Photo - Marcio Jose Sanchez

PEBBLE BEACH -- Modesto native Matt Bettencourt played Pebble Beach on Saturday, shooting a 72. That wasn't good enough to hold onto a share of the lead, but going into today's final round Bettencourt is only one stroke behind the leaders in the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational.