For the first time since 2021, Oakdale’s varsity football team is returning to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship game. The Mustangs will do battle in Division 3, facing off wit the Vanden Vikings on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Sac City College with a 3 p.m. kickoff.

Oakdale lost to Valley Oak League rival Manteca in 2021 but, three years later, will play for the chance to bring the coveted blue banner home.

The journey to reach the title game has been a rollercoaster for the Mustangs. In the preseason opener, Oakdale lost to Sonora on the road, 31-21. Oakdale regrouped and went on to win out in the preseason. Their most thrilling win came week three at Escalon with a 21-20 overtime victory. This year saw newcomers to the Valley Oak League, as Mountain House and Patterson joined the league. Oakdale made short work of Mountain House in the regular season opener 55-6 and then defeated Patterson 56-40 two weeks later. At one point Oakdale won six straight games. Their winning streak ended when they lost to Central Catholic on Oct. 18 by a final of 46-27. In the regular season finale, the Mustangs fell to Manteca 36-24.

However, when the brackets were announced for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3, Oakdale was named the top seed. They earned a bye week then defeated Woodcreek 35-14 in the quarterfinals. In their semifinal round playoff game, they took out Destiny Christian Academy 49-35.

Vanden finished third in their Monticello Empire League this season, with an overall record of 10-2. The Vikings have not lost a game since Oct. 4. In the tournament Vanden knocked out Vista del Lago 28-7 and doubled up West Park 14-7 last week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.