ELK GROVE – Despite missing the postseason, Vista del Lago made sure its final game of 2025 felt every bit like a playoff victory. The Eagles capped their season Friday night with a determined 38–28 comeback win over Elk Grove, rallying from a 21–7 deficit to close out the year on a high note and remind fans of their potential heading into the future.
What began as a slow start turned into one of Vista’s most complete efforts of the season. The Thundering Herd controlled the first half, but the Eagles found their rhythm just before halftime and never looked back, outscoring Elk Grove 31–7 the rest of the way. The win gave Vista del Lago its second straight triumph and solidified a 4–7 finish — a testament to the team’s perseverance after a challenging campaign.
Senior running back Jack Cromwell provided the spark, turning in a monster performance with more than 200 total yards and four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving. Quarterback Jacoby More overcame early struggles to deliver when it mattered most, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns — both in the decisive fourth quarter.
With the game tied late, More hit senior receiver Kyle Cromwell on a 16-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 28–28, then connected with Jack Cromwell for a 27-yard strike to put the Eagles on top. Vista’s defense, led by clutch takeaways from Kingston Foster-Davis and Gavin Brainerd, set up both scoring drives and kept Elk Grove off balance throughout the second half.
When the game hung in the balance, kicker Joseph Ahola delivered one of the night’s biggest highlights — a booming 51-yard field goal that extended the lead to 38–28 and sealed the win. The long-range kick was the perfect punctuation mark on a night defined by resilience and execution.
Elk Grove threatened one final time, driving deep into Vista territory in the final minute, but the Eagles’ defense stood tall once more, forcing a turnover on downs to close the door and ignite a jubilant celebration on the sideline.
For a program that faced its share of adversity this fall, Friday’s victory carried extra meaning. It was proof that the Eagles never stopped believing in themselves — and that their seniors would finish their high school careers the right way, with a win earned through heart and determination.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
