In down years by De La Salle’s standards, the Spartans haven’t always rolled through their East Bay Athletic League opponents.
This isn’t a down year for the Concord powerhouse.
Back to its elite ways, De La Salle dominated a third consecutive foe from the EBAL on Friday night — this time California — with five touchdowns in the first half and another to open the third quarter.
The entire second half was played with a running clock as the Spartans — ranked No. 1 by the Bay Area News Group — prevailed on the road over No. 9 California 48-10.
Dominic Kelley scored on touchdown runs of 2 and 65 yards, and Derrick Blanche added TD runs of 12 and 66 yards. Duece Jones-Drew had a 10-yard scoring run and quarterback Toa Faavae had a 3-yard TD run just before halftime.
Gregory Jones’ 58-yard run completed the scoring for De La Salle (9-0).
Arjun Banerjee’s 9-yard pass to Wesley Wineinger early in the fourth quarter accounted for California’s only touchdown.
Henry Dupin kicked a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter for the Grizzlies, which at the time cut the margin to 6-3.
California fell to 7-2.
Kelley finished with 120 yards in seven carries. Blanche ran for 110 yards in five carries.
Faavae was 8 of 11 for 108 yards passing, including 4 for 4 in a two-minute drill late in the first half.
De La Salle closes the regular season next Friday at Clayton Valley before starting its quest for a 32nd consecutive North Coast Section championship.
California travels to Amador Valley next Friday before moving on to the NCS playoffs.
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In victories over San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista and California the past three games, De La Salle has won by an average score of 44-10.
With four wins over NCS opponents this season, the Spartans are 274-0-1 within their own section since losing to Pittsburg in an NCS title game in December 1991.