Princeton hosts Butte Valley in first round of playoffs

The Princeton High football team opens the Northern Section 8-man playoffs against a familiar foe, Butte Valley, Friday in Princeton.

On Aug. 31, the Bulldogs (6-2, 4-2 North) held off a late-charging Eagles (6-3, 4-1 South) squad for a 22-14 victory in Princeton. Last season, Butte Valley knocked Princeton out of the playoffs with a 48-12 victory on a snowy field in Dorris.

In the first game this year between the teams, Butte Valley took a 22-6 lead but the Eagles came out strong in the second half and had a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes but fell short.

In that game, Eduardo Valencia ran for 101 yards and Oscar Espinoza ran for 99.

Butte Valley quarterback Colten Struble rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns, and passed for 76 yards.

If the Eagles can stop Struble, they have a good chance of advancing to the second round of the playoffs where the winner of the game between Redding Christian and Mercy will be waiting.

However, Princeton can't afford another slow start against Butte Valley, which won the section championship last season. The Eagles are riding a four-game win streak while the Bulldogs won their last two.

Butte Valley's only two losses this year are two the top two teams in the section, Redding Christian and Dunsmuir.

Princeton lost to Butte Valley, Dunsmuir and Loyalton, which won the California - North League title.

CONTACT Kirk Barron at 458-2121 or kbarron@tcnpress.com.