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Hughson beats Hilmar to become one of three TVL teams in flag football semis
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Hughson QB Leah Hobby completed 18 of 32 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns in Thursday’s 24-14 quarterfinal win against Hilmar (ALEX MORALES/The Journal).

HUGHSON — A lot is made about the Trans-Valley League being the best small-school football conference in the Sac-Joaquin Section, if not the entire state.

The TVL may be one of the best small-school flag football leagues in the section, too.

Seventh-seeded Hughson defeated TVL rival Hilmar 24-14 in a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday, becoming one of three TVL squads to reach the semifinal round.

The Huskies (15-6) will travel to Newman on Wednesday to face TVL foe Orestimba (21-6), a 34-0 winner over Destiny Christian Academy of Sacramento. 

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Hughson’s Peyton Avila jumps up to make a catch during the Huskies’ playoff matchup with Hilmar on Thursday (ALEX MORALES/The Journal).

Hughson defeated Orestimba 27-20 on Oct. 7, while the Warriors returned the favor on Oct. 23 with a 26-25 victory.

On the other side of the bracket, TVL member Escalon defeated Sacramento Adventist 12-7 and will take on top-seeded Colfax, which triumphed over Sutter 27-0.

The Huskies had breezed past Hilmar in two league meetings, winning 26-0 and 31-6.

But their postseason matchup fell on Halloween ... it was supposed to be a little scary.

Hughson found itself down 14-12 at halftime, but rallied with 12 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory.

Quarterback Leah Hobby completed 18 of 32 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. Presley Wells carried the ball four times for 36 yards, and caught three passes for 55 yards and two scores.

Peyton Avila, Keylee Lundquist, and Raegan Barstow each finished with four receptions. Barstow and Morgan Bleakley (three receptions) scored the other TDs for the Huskies.

Though Hilmar’s season is over, head coach Paul Willis was proud of the way his team performed.

“I thought our girls responded well,” said Willis, whose 15th-seeded Yellowjackets upset No. 2 Dixon 32-16 in the first round. “I thought we carried over the momentum from the Dixon game. We were right there, but give all the credit to Hughson. They played well and made plays when they needed to. But I commend our girls for competing. They gave us a chance to win.”

Willis pointed out four of the final eight teams in the D-4 bracket, and three of the final four, hail from the TVL.

“And we’re sure to have at least one team in the section final,” added Willis. “I think they have a good chance to win. I’ll be rooting for them.”