Superstar performance helps propel Hilmar past Pioneer in section football playoffs

Caden Bailey remembered all too well the feeling of devastation and disappointment when the Hilmar High School football team was eliminated in the second round last year.

The Yellowjackets star was going to do everything in his power to make sure it didn’t happen two years in a row.

Bailey put on a show, racking up close to 400 yards of total offense and scoring four touchdowns to propel No. 3 Hilmar to a 41-32 win over No. 6 Pioneer in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V quarterfinals on Thursday night at McSweeney Field.

“Caden Bailey, I’m glad he’s wearing a Hilmar jersey,” said Yellowjackets coach Frank Marques, whose team improved to 8-3 this season.

Marques and the Hilmar coaching staff moved Bailey from playing exclusively quarterback midseason so they could line him up at running back, slot receiver and quarterback at times.

Bailey showed why he’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife, rushing for 204 yards with touchdowns of 85 and 50 yards on 13 carries to go along with four catches for 146 yards, including touchdown catches of 65 and 31 yards.

“He’s just one of those kids you’re blessed to have,” Marques said. “His athleticism is one thing, but the kid matches the athleticism. He’s just a great kid. We’re so blessed to have him on our team.”

Bailey was quick to give credit to his offensive line and quarterback Merek Ellerd.

“Last year it was this round of playoffs where we got sent home by Escalon and I didn’t want this to be my last game for the seniors,” Bailey said. “I just had to fight hard and do it for them.”

Even with the video game type numbers Bailey was accumulating, Hilmar had some nervous moments in the final minutes.

Leading 34-26, it appears as if the Yellowjackets were marching in for another touchdown that would have given Hilmar a two-score lead midway through the fourth quarter.

However, the Yellowjackets bobbled the snap at the Pioneer 11-yard line and Patriots defensive lineman Francisco Romero recovered the ball.

Pioneer (8-4) then marched the other way and facing a fourth-and-goal, quarterback Martin Bartz connected with receiver Haiden Aletto on a 4-yard touchdown pass to pull the Patriots within 34-32 with 1:36 left in the game.

It was Bartz’s fourth touchdown pass of the game to go along with 231 passing yards.

“Offensively, we couldn’t really stop them,” Marques said. “They really had so many weapons that we really had a hard time containing them.”

For the second time in three games Hilmar found itself in a familiar situation trying to stop a two-point conversion to win a game like it did in a 24-23 win over Hughson.

The Yellowjackets got pressure on Bartz, who thought about trying to run before stopping and lofting a pass to an open Devion Corley in the end zone, but the pass sailed over Corley and fell to the ground.

“Same exact spot, down to a two-point conversion,” Bailey said. “Our D-line got through and did their job.”

Hilmar’s Devon Colston recovered the ensuing onside kick. With the Yellowjackets trying to run out the clock, Bailey managed to break free for a 50-yard touchdown run to seal the victory.

Hilmar senior Logan Cardoso did some of the heavy lifting in the ground game, rushing for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

The Yellowjackets advance to the semifinals next week against the winner of No. 7 Lathrop at No. 2 Casa Roble.

“If Case Roble wins, they beat (Pioneer) 53-0,” Marques said. “We’re going to have a lot of work to do.”