Category Archives: Hillmen Football

Code of the Hillmen: Pain is temporary, pride is forever!

Some thoughts on our last game and the 2019 season from Coach Erik Egan:

It’s always tough after the last game every year having kids come up to me upset and apologizing because they didn’t bring it home. It’s one of the few times I am not sure what to say to them because I know at that moment they are speaking from a place of raw emotion. But the truth is, these kids have nothing to be sorry for. Losing the last game is disappointing yes, but they didn’t let me down. 

Each week they left it all on the field, which is all one can really ask. Wins and losses matter, but 10 years from now, I won’t remember the scores of games or final records. However, I will always remember the relationships I formed with these young men and the memories we had, and in some cases, those relationships will be life long ones.

Getting to know who a kid is when the shoulder pads and helmet comes off, is one of the greatest pleasures. Every kid is unique. They come from all walks of life and each has a different story to tell. To watch them grow from boys to men from the beginning to the end of their high school careers is what makes it all worth it. It means more to me than any championship ever could.

Be sorry that it’s over, but don’t be sorry ’cause you think you let me down……’cause you didn’t. Each of you boys on some level taught me something that I will carry on with me throughout the years. I will be forever grateful to you for that.

Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your team and your lives this year, and for you seniors, the last 3-4 years. It’s been a heck of a ride.

Hillmen Pride

Placer ended the 2019 season as the 2019 Foothill Valley League Champions: with 10 wins and 3 losses. It was their 8th league championship in a row! Here are some more amazing facts about 2019:

Of Placer’s 13 opponents, 11 made the playoffs;

Of Placer’s 3 losses, two became Section champions (Manteca, Cardinal Newman) and one was the Division 2 Section runner-up (Whitney);

Placer defeated a defending State Champion (Rio Linda) and two defending Section Champions (Bishop O’Dowd, Eureka);

Placer vanquished a previously unbeaten school (Buhach Colony) and ended their season;

Placer went undefeated in the Foothill Valley League as the school with the smallest enrollment.

And when the team took its traditional FVL champion picture at midfield, they made sure that jersey number 44 was on display, as their teammate was recovering from season-ending knee surgery and could not be there.

In the best of times, in the worst of times, and at all times: it’s great to be a Hillman!

Placer vs Buhach Colony: SJS Div III Semifinal

After defeating the Yuba City Honkers in Round 2, the Hillmen have moved on to the semifinals! Placer will be playing the Buhach Colony Thunder of Atwater on Friday, November 22, at 7 PM at home! #GoHillmen!

Look for updates here and on the Hillmen Football Facebook page, on our Twitter, and/or sign up for the Hillmen Football Newsletter!

2019 Sac-Joaquin Div III Playoff Bracket!

Placer has been given the #2 seed in the Division 3 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs! We have a bye in Round 1 and will play the winner of the Christian Brothers/Yuba City Round 1 game in Round 2 on November 15, at 7 PM at home! #GoHillmen!

Look for updates here and on the Hillmen Football Facebook page, on our Twitter, and/or sign up for the Hillmen Football Newsletter!

Foothill Valley League Play Begins This Week!

It’s October, and that means it’s FVL time! The Placer varsity team begins defending its 2018 FVL title this week in Grass Valley, as they head to Nevada Union to take on the Miners on October 4th. Then there will be two home games in a row: October 11th against the Rio Linda Knights, and October 18th, Homecoming and Senior Night, against the Oakmont Vikings. They then travel to face the Ponderosa Bruins on October 25th, finishing up the regular season at home against the Lincoln Fighting Zebras on November 11th.

Every FVL team this year enters league with a winning record, so it should be an exciting and challenging season! Placer’s tough non-league schedule has prepared them and they are ready for the battles ahead!

Go Hillmen!

Home opener on our new Field!


Field update! Placer’s brand new field looks great and will be ready to go Friday, September 6th! The freshmen will play Woodcreek tonight (September 5th) at 6 pm at Colfax High School, but the JV and Varsity games against Cardinal Newman will be at home!

Placer vs Cardinal Newman
September 6, 2019
JV at 5 PM and Varsity at 7PM

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to get things ready for our home opener! #GoHillmen!

Wrapping up 2018

By Coach Erik Egan

In football most people define a team’s level of success solely by wins, losses, and championships. While these are all important components of success, the most important element of a team en route to the top of that mountain, is the love players and coaches have for one another, their desire to play for each other, and the fact that they truly want all their brothers to succeed, even if it comes at their expense. This is what made these past 2 years so successful, why they achieved all the great things they did. Their talent on the field was evident week in and week out, but it was/is who they are people……genuine young men who truly cared about those around them both on and off the field who would do anything for you without question that set them apart. They all came from different backgrounds and had different stories which made them unique. But one thing was always constant…..the unconditional love they showed each other as well as myself. Spending 5 days a week with them for 6 plus months out of the year, we shared so many great memories, laughs, and even a few tears. I am sad that the football portion of our time together is over, but I am grateful to you boys for allowing me to be a part of your incredible experience. It’s something I will never forget. In my 20 plus years of being a part of this program, you really are some of the best young men I have been around. We may not take the field together again, but you will always hold a special place in my heart, and the relationships we built will last a lifetime. Know that I love you all. Thank you for the great ride! 

2018 Season Overview
It’s Great to be a Hillman!

Overall Record 12-1

League Record 5-0

Section Championship! Placer vs Capital Christian: 12/1/18 7:30 pm at Whitney HS

This is it! For the third year in a row Placer has advanced to the Section Championship! Come on out on Saturday, December 1 to Whitney High School in Rocklin as the Hillmen face the Capital Christian Cougars! Kickoff is at 7:30 pm. Last year Placer won the Div IV Section Championship and this year they are looking to do the same in Div III.

The Cougars are the number one seed in the Div III playoffs and like our number two seeded Hillmen, they are undefeated with a 12-0 record so this has all the makings of an outstanding game!

Go Hillmen!!

The Sac-Joaquin Division 3 Playoff Bracket Has Been Released!

Placer has been given the #2 seed in the Division 3 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs! We have a bye in Round 1 and will play the winner of the Christian Brothers/Yuba City Round 1 game in Round 2 on November 9, at 7 PM at home! #GoHillmen!

Look for updates here and on the Hillmen Football Facebook page, and/or sign up for the Hillmen Football Newsletter!

Twelve Hillmen Garner First Team All PVL Honors

The Hillmen dominated opponents in the PVL this season en route to their fourth straight league title. On Tuesday night, they also stole the show at the annual all league meeting. Fourteen Hillmen garnered first team All-PVL honors, including running back Owen Scott (1620 yards rushing/receiving, 24 touchdowns) who was named offensive MVP and Michael Downen (9.5 sacks, 12 TFL, 84 tackles) who grabbed defensive MVP honors. Defensive Coordinator Eric Rodarte was named coach of the year. Below are this year’s first and second team All-PVL selections.

First Team

FB Jared Halbert (928 yds, 13 touchdowns

TE Derek Haney (4 catches, 83 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries 46 yards, 2 touchdowns)

OL Jacob Capra

OL Diego Lopez

DE Logan Crawford (5.5 sacks, 7 TFL, 70 tackles)

DT Simeon Engle (5 sacks, 5 TFL, 61 tackles)

LB Taylor Levesque (57 tackles, 4 TFL,  2 interceptions)

LB Dallan Trentman (67 tackles, 5 TFL)

S Ryan Huston (63 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 interceptions

CB Joe Robinson (33 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 interceptions)

Second Team

QB Marcus Ante (1360 yards passing, 16 touchdowns 3 interceptions

OL Logan Moore

2015 All Pioneer Valley League Selections

2015 Hillmen Stats