In the Central California Conference finale, the Pride dominated from beginning to end. They capitalized with touchdowns on four of their first five possessions, jumped out to a 28-0 lead and Markus Sanders punished the Merced High defense for 251 yards (210 of them in the first half) and four touchdowns.
This game was a must-win for both teams, as the winner earned an automatic playoff berth.
Now, the 6-4 Pride, the No. 13 seed, will travel to Monterey Trail High (8-2) in Elk Grove for the first-round game of the Division I playoffs at 7 p.m. on Friday.
In winning last Friday, Pitman denied Merced their fourth straight league title.
“We had good senior leadership,” Pitman coach Brandon Harris said, referring to the likes of Hayden Baldwin, Sanders and members of the offensive line. “Our offense played really well. Mentally, it was the most prepared our guys have been. They seemed very focused.”