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With a four-game losing streak to its name and a CIF-Southern Section playoff appearance most likely on the line, Upland football needed a statement win in Week Nine.
And boy did the Scots deliver. Upland led 14-0 after one quarter and 27-0 at halftime to blow out Ayala 37-0 in Baseline League play for a win that ultimately proved to secure a playoff berth.
It was mostly a well-rounded effort statistically for the Scots, who dominated in essentially every aspect of the game, but one Upland player had a remarkable individual stat line to set the tone – junior receiver/safety Dane Gosserand. He recorded two interceptions and a 31-yard touchdown catch to go with four tackles on a night when Upland held Ayala's QBs to 82 yards and zero touchdowns to five turnovers on 10-26 completion (38.5%).
— Dane Gosserand (@Dane_Gosserand) November 2, 2025And as a result, Upland is playoff-bound after missing the postseason in 2024 for the first time in a while. As arguably one of the top teams to beat in Division 6 after navigating a relentless Baseline League schedule, Upland could go another long playoff run in 2025, which it's done on a handful of occasions in the last decade. That includes a D2 semifinals appearance in 2017, a D2 championship and 1-A regional finals appearance in 2018, and an underdog D3 finals appearance in 2022 under current head coach Darryl Thomas.
It wasn't the first instance this season that Gosserand came up clutch at a crucial time. He led the team with 64 yards and two touchdowns receiving early in conference play as the Scots nearly shocked runner-up Chino Hills in overtime, and he also helped them push Damien in Week Eight with some strong work on defense and the team's only touchdown catch. Gosserand would finish the regular season second on Upland in receiving yards and interceptions and first on the team with seven touchdown catches.
YattaDidThat and Upland Football
Regardless of what happens this postseason, Upland is in good shape for 2026 despite graduating some key names with a litany of its top players returning, mostly as seniors. That includes Gosserand, fellow standout WR/DB and part-time RB, Jerome "Spank" Smith, dual-threat QB Lequand "JackJack" Jackson, and LBs Joseph Gholar and Keegan Bias Jr. If those lynchpins continue to develop and are accompanied by more breakout starters, you can count on Upland to raise its game in 2026 and possibly return to contention for a Baseline League title and an upper-division playoff run.
Upland kicks off the playoffs at home against undefeated Los Altos (Hacienda Heights) in what looks to be one of the most intriguing first round games of the CIF-Southern Section postseason.
Voting results for Week 9 SoCal Player of the Week
Meet the candidates for Week 9 SoCal Player of the Week
Joshua Aaron, Venice: Aaron helped lead the Gondoliers to a 21-8 win against Westchester with 148 yards and two touchdowns rushing to go with two tackles for loss.
Khalil Abdul-Aziz, Orange Vista: Abdul-Aziz completed 16 of 25 passes (64%) for 285 yards and five touchdowns to one pick and added a rushing touchdown as the Coyotes smoked JW North 52-14.
Brady Annett, Corona del Mar: Annett threw for 319 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception on 18-25 completion (72%) as CdM thrashed Tesoro 47-8.
Enrique Armas, Holtville: Armas turned 11 carries into 205 yards and four touchdowns as the Vikings blew out Calexico 58-14.
Trey Arnold, Mission Bay: Arnold completed 18 of 26 passes (69.2%) for 338 yards and five touchdowns to one pick and ran three times for 30 yards as the Buccaneers cruised past Crawford 49-21.
Bo Ausmus, Redondo Union: Ausmus made four catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns plus a tackle for loss to help Redondo Union coast past Peninsula 40-21.
Jordan Bernard, San Jacinto: Bernard grabbed four receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers thrashed West Valley (Hemet) 63-0.
Caleb Bey, Crean Lutheran: Bey lifted the Saints to a 31-28 comeback win against Huntington Beach for an Epsilon League title with 203 yards and two touchdowns rushing plus four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Jayden Blondin, Mater Dei Catholic: The freshman signal caller had a remarkable half of action in a 48-15 rout of Sweetwater, completing five of six passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns and running for 101 yards and a touchdown on just three carries.
Diego Castillo, Los Altos (Hacienda Heights): Castillo threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover and ran for 91 yards and two more touchdowns to lead the Conquerors to a 49-35 win over Diamond Bar.
J'Anthony Cobb, Salesian (Los Angeles): Cobb managed 122 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries and caught three passes for 74 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Mustangs to a 40-0 demolition of St. Anthony.
Niles Davis, Westlake: Davis had team-highs of seven receptions, 115 receiving yards, three touchdown catches, nine tackles, and six solo tackles to go with a tackle for loss in a 33-14 win against Santa Barbara.
Vance Davis, West Covina: Davis made two interceptions in a 35-13 win against Diamond Ranch.
Brady Defrain, Aliso Niguel: Defrain ran for two of the game's only three touchdowns and 122 yards to lift the Wolverines past Orange 17-10.
Andrew DeLaTorre, Moreno Valley: DeLaTorre recorded five TFLs, three sacks, and six QB-hurries in MoVal's 43-7 rout of Lakeside (Lake Elsinore).
Demare Dezeurn, Palisades: The 4-star Oklahoma commit hauled in 10 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns plus an 83-yard kickoff return in a 46-30 victory against Hamilton (Los Angeles).
Carson Diehl, La Jolla: Diehl balled out despite losing 41-35 to St. Augustine, racking up 14 catches for 246 yards, four touchdowns, and a two-point conversion plus an interception.
Jeremiah Duhu, Beaumont: Duhu threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and ran for two more touchdowns as the Cougars blew out Citrus Valley 56-3.
Taven Epps, Tustin: Epps registered a game-high three TFLs and caught a pair of passes for a pair of touchdowns and 36 yards as Tustin beat Western 42-21.
Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, Cathedral Catholic: The 5-star ATH prospect went off for 186 yards and five touchdowns rushing plus a 39-yard reception to lift the Dons to a 42-33 upset of rival Lincoln (San Diego) for a Western League title.
Michael "Kiko" Farinas, Chaparral: Farinas recorded four receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns plus an interception to help Chaparral dispatch Roosevelt (Eastvale) 61-23.
Chris Fields III, Carson: Six of Fields' seven pass completions went for touchdowns, and he totaled 200 yards with no interceptions as the Colts crushed Narbonne 50-0.
Nicholas Fonseca, South Gate: Fonseca reeled in five catches for 121 yards and four touchdowns, grabbed a two-point conversion, and registered a 53-yard pick-six as the Rams rolled past Huntington Park 56-21.
Radley Geiss, Dana Hills: Geiss gave it his all in a 49-40 loss to Laguna Beach, rumbling for 241 yards and five touchdowns.
Dean Gibson, Corona Centennial: Primarily a defensive back, Gibson broke out at running back with 190 yards, four touchdowns, and a two-point conversion on the ground plus seven tackles as the Huskies held off rival Norco 59-49.
Michael Gonzalez, South Gate: Gonzalez led the Rams to a 56-21 win against Huntington Park with 305 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions on 11-17 completion (64.7%) plus 131 yards and a touchdown rushing.
Dane Gosserand, Upland: Gosserand went for two interceptions and a 31-yard touchdown catch in Upland's 37-0 rout of Ayala.
Coby Herman, La Costa Canyon: Herman spearheaded a 50-22 rout of Carlsbad that moved the Mavericks back to the top of the Avocado League standings with 170 yards and three touchdowns rushing plus four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Jack Hurst, Laguna Beach: Hurst completed 22 of 31 passes (71%) for 397 yards and five touchdowns to one pick to help the Breakers knock off Dana Hills 49-40 for a Foxtrot League title.
Anthony Jacobs Jr., Pacifica (Oxnard): Jacobs caught five passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns as Pacifica cruised past Simi Valley 42-20.
Garrett James, Corona del Mar: James turned five catches into 178 yards and four touchdowns as the Sea Kings blew out Tesoro 47-8.
Jack Junker, Mission Viejo: Junker went off for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions plus a touchdown run to help lead the Diablos to a 37-20 win against Edison (Huntington Beach).
Marley Luatua, St. Paul: Luatua turned five carries into 102 yards and two touchdowns and also recorded a sack as St. Paul blew out Bishop Alemany 41-7.
Isaiah Lucero, Northview: Lucero dominated despite losing 21-20 to Alta Loma, totaling three catches for 80 yards, six tackles (one for loss), and two interceptions.
Trent Lux, Great Oak: Lux completed 13 of 19 passes (68.4%) for 217 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers and ran for two more touchdowns to lead Great Oak past Temecula Valley 36-13.
Brennan Martinez, Vista Murrieta: Martinez turned in a remarkable defensive performance to help the Broncos upset rival Murrieta Valley 42-35, totaling two pick-sixes for a combined 103 yards, 14 tackles, 12 solo tackles, and two TFLs.
Julian Medina, Norco: Medina gave it all he could as Norco pushed rival Corona Centennial in a 59-49 defeat, completing 33 of 47 passes (70.2%) for six touchdowns, 385 yards, and zero interceptions plus nine carries for 73 yards.
DJ Mitchell, La Habra: Mitchell led the Highlanders to a 42-13 victory against Laguna Hills with 320 yards and five touchdowns passing without an interception plus 38 rushing yards.
Trent Mosley, Santa Margarita: The 4-star USC pledge led the Eagles to a 28-7 win against Orange Lutheran with 10 catches for 100 yards plus two touchdown runs.
Ethan Mundt, Troy: Mundt led Troy past Irvine 21-20 by rushing for 185 yards and all three of the Warriors' touchdowns.
Maleek Nolley, Cajon: Nolley ran for 191 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries as the Cowboys obliterated Redlands 67-0.
Wyatt Nucci, El Toro: Nucci completed 19 of 23 passes (82.6%) for seven touchdowns and 319 yards without an interception in a 54-7 beatdown of Santa Ana.
Somto Nwude, Crespi: Nwude went nuclear with 14 tackles, 10 solo tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles as Crespi routed rival Harvard-Westlake 34-6.
Jasiah Patterson, Fillmore: Patterson lifted the Charges to a 24-17 win against Dos Pueblos by rushing for 204 yards and a touchdown.
Eric Perez, St. Genevieve: Perez totaled four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown, a sack, and two forced fumbles in a 41-8 rout of St. Bernard.
Paisios Polamalu, St. Augustine: Polamalu powered the Saints to a 41-35 win against La Jolla with 316 yards and three touchdowns rushing, two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown, 12 tackles including a team-high seven solo tackles, two QB-hurries, and two pass break-ups.
Landon Pompey, Trabuco Hills: Pompey ran for 87 yards and a touchdown and caught two touchdowns to lead Trabuco Hills to a 28-7 victory against Cypress.
Evan Ramos, Summit: Ramos ran for 52 yards and two rushing touchdowns and added seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 42-6 blowout of Jurupa Hills.
Deshonne Redeaux, Oaks Christian: The 4-star USC commit ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions pummeled Camarillo 42-6.
Zamar Reese, San Marcos (San Marcos): Reese totaled 122 yards and a touchdown rushing to go with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown to lead the Knights to a 24-21 victory against Torrey Pines.
Jaxson Rex, San Clemente: Rex led the charge in a 28-9 upset of Los Alamitos with eight catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
Charlie Reyes, Aquinas: Reyes completed 12 of 14 passes (85.7%) for 262 yards, four touchdowns, and zero picks and ran for a touchdown in a 46-7 thrashing of Capistrano Valley Christian.
Oscar Rios, Downey (Downey): Rios, a 4-star Arizona commit, completed 16 of 25 passes (64%) for 202 yards, three touchdowns, and zero picks and rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings dominated rival Warren 40-0.
Tristan Savage, Ventura: Savage ran for two touchdowns and had two catches for 62 yards and a touchdown in a 35-7 rout of Oak Park.
Brady Stringham, Laguna Beach: Stringham had an eye-opening stat line in Laguna Beach's pivotal 49-40 win against Dana Hills. He made three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, completed his only pass attempt for a 27-yard touchdown, grabbed two interceptions, deflected three passes, and went 5-6 on PATs.
Bryce Thacker, El Toro: Thacker grabbed eight receptions for 166 yards and four touchdowns as the Chargers rinsed Santa Ana 54-7.
Jack Thomas, Palisades: Thomas threw for 369 yards and seven touchdowns to no picks on 27-41 completion (65.9%) to guide the Dolphins to a 46-30 win against Hamilton (Los Angeles).
Isaiah Trujillo, Yorba Linda: Trujillo ran for a touchdown, caught a touchdown, and grabbed a pick in the Mustangs' 41-14 win against Newport Harbor.
Gibson Turner, Torrance: Turner completed 16 of 22 passes (72.7%) for five touchdowns and 295 yards to one pick as the Tartars defeated Santa Monica 49-14.
Ryan Wiacek, El Segundo: Wiacek threw for 129 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions and ran 13 times for 205 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a 35-18 win against El Rancho.
Khary Wilder, Serra (Gardena): The 4-star Ohio State commit helped lead the Cavaliers to a 35-16 win against Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) with team-highs of 13 tackles, four sacks as part of five TFLs, five QB-hurries, and a forced fumble.
Trevon Williams, Moreno Valley: Williams ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings blew out Lakeside (Lake Elsinore) 43-7.
PeeWee Wilson, Pacifica (Oxnard): Wilson recorded an interception-return touchdown, 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery in the Tritons' 42-20 win against Simi Valley.
Blake Wong, Norco: Wong was a handful in Norco's 59-49 loss to Corona Centennial, catching 13 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns plus a two-point conversion.
Donte Wright, Helix: Wright ran for 94 yards and three touchdowns and also forced a fumble to help Helix hold off Steele Canyon 39-34.
Nick Yakubik, Palos Verdes: Yakubik snagged interceptions and returned them a total of 36 yards to help the Sea Kings take down Inglewood 31-12.
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