Rams clinch Northern California playoff spot with win

Hours after Fresno City College rolled to a 77-24 victory over Reedley in the Battle for the Pump game, the Rams got the good news they were hoping to hear:

They are headed to the Northern California playoffs.

Fresno City will face City College of San Francisco at 1 p.m. on Nov. 22, in the opening round of the playoffs.

It was a lot of hard work for the Rams, who were once 2-4 overall, and many questions surrounded the team: whether they could find the spark they needed.

The spark happened in the midst of a four-game winning streak that clinched a spot in the playoffs.

"Our kids could've just turned it in, but they came to work," Caviglia said. "There's a lot of character on this team. They got better, started playing better football, and I think we're rolling with good motivation going into the playoffs."

Fresno City will be the No. 5 seed. The winner between Fresno City and CCSF will face the top-seed and defending state champions, San Mateo.

The other seeds include No. 2 Modesto, No. 3 Diablo Valley, No. 4 CCSF, No. 5 Fresno City, and No. 6 Butte.

Since losing to Modesto, the Rams face a must-win situation in their next games. Another loss would've doomed Fresno City's hopes of a playoff or bowl bid.

Fresno City took care of business against other Valley Conference foes minus Modesto.

The latest came against Reedley, where the Rams tied the 2001 team for the most points in school history. In 2001, Fresno City defeated San Jose 77-6.

The points scored were surprising for Caviglia, who felt Reedley is a good football team that took College of the Sequoias down to the wire and should've beaten Sacramento City.

"I'm thinking we have to play really good to win this game," Caviglia said. "Our guys came to work and executed."

Fresno City running back Jackson Cinfel finished with nine carries for 87 yards and four touchdowns. Three other Rams' running backs scored touchdowns, too, who were without leading-rusher Jordan Colbert because of a concussion he sustained against COS.

The Rams hope to get Colbert back for the playoffs.

Defensively, the Rams finished with three sacks and two interceptions. Fresno City had four broken-up

passes.

Caviglia was pleased with how his team played.

"We're working hard and my coaches are coaching their butt's off," Caviglia said. "When you work hard and you have a good system, good things happen, and I think that's where we're at right now."