Welcome back to the Bay Area News Group’s high school football roundup.
Here, you’ll find all the details from the weekend’s action in this news organization’s coverage area, which encompasses teams that play in leagues based primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Check back every Saturday during the season for scores, highlights and top performers, updated throughout the day.
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On to the roundup …
Ranked teams
No. 1 De La Salle 35, No. 7 El Cerrito 14
Following last week’s narrow win against St. Mary’s-Stockton, De La Salle enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory over El Cerrito. Junior Jaden Jefferson put on an absolute show with the ball in his hand. After opening the scoring with a 45-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, Jefferson closed out the first half by fielding a missed field goal and returning it 99 yards to the house. Senior quarterback Toa Faavae had two rushing touchdowns, while senior running back Dominic Kelley had a score on the ground of his own. For El Cerrito, Jonathan Craft and sophomore running back Joezon Broussard each had rushing touchdowns while Gary Youngblood recorded an interception. Justice delos Santos has the full story.
No. 9 St. Ignatius 21, No. 3 Serra 20
Jarious Hogan’s 30-yard rushing touchdown with 1:14 left capped off a stunning fourth-quarter rally against three-time defending CCS Open Division champion Serra in the teams’ West Catholic Athletic League opener. Christian Babcock was in San Francisco and has the full story here.
No. 15 Clayton Valley 21, No. 14 Liberty 17
Freshman quarterback Javale Jones led Clayton Valley on a 10-play, 78-yard game-winning drive as the Ugly Eagles defeated Liberty on the road. Jones completed 4 of 6 passes for 45 yards and a score while adding 18 yards rushing. Nathan Canilao was in Brentwood and has the full story here.
No. 16 Wilcox 42, Santa Clara 0
Brayden Rosa rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns during a one-sided win over Santa Clara in the Chargers’ final non-league tune-up before beginning PAL Bay Division play at Menlo on Oct. 12. Rosa scored on runs of 11, 7 and 31 yards. Wilcox (3-2), playing its first of three straight games on the road, led 28-0 at the half. Rosa scored touchdowns in the first, second and third quarters. Sophomore quarterback Kai Imahara completed 8-of-10 passes for 144 yards and a pair of scores, one each to Justin Forster and Cameron Jones-Tran. The pass to Forster covered 30 yards. Jones-Tran’s TD was a 42-yard connection. Elijah Vallejo had a 15-yard touchdown run and Armando Rodriguez was 6-for-6 on extra points. The Chargers amassed 467 yards of total offense. Vallejo carried eight times for 70 yards in addition to his one touchdown. Wilcox totaled 323 yards on the ground. Santa Clara has struggled to a 1-3 start, and things won’t get much easier next Friday when it opens PAL El Camino play at Woodside. The Bruins have lost three in a row after opening the season with a 40-0 win over MacDonald, a new high school in San Jose playing its first season of varsity football. – Mike Lefkow
No. 25 Half Moon Bay 52, Foothill 45
Adler Halterman had a game for the ages as he rewrote the Half Moon Bay record book with seven touchdown runs. But Foothill, led by Jason Knight’s 455 passing yards, kept pace in a battle of contrasting styles. Joseph Dycus was in Pleasanton and has the full story here.
East Bay
Irvington 46, Skyline 7
Irvington’s storybook season continued in the Oakland Hills as running back Matt Forbes rushed for three touchdowns in a road win over Skyline. Led by movie actor Anthony Jackson, the Vikings are 5-0. Meanwhile, Skyline and new but grizzled coach Virdell Larkins fell to 1-3. – Joseph Dycus
Oakland Tech 23, Pinole Valley 14
Oakland Tech alum Anthony McCrady finished a game in the winner’s column for the first time as a head coach when his Bulldogs went on the road and beat Pinole Valley. Rhys Allen ran for a 69-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Tech teammate Caleb Rollins punched in a one-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Cash Herbert threw a touchdown to Jaylen Smalls for Pinole Valley’s only touchdown of the second half. Tech improved to 1-3. Pinole Valley dropped to 2-2. – Joseph Dycus
South Bay/Peninsula
Christopher 45, Branham 28
A first-half highlighted by prolific offensive output from both teams turned one-sided in the second half, as Christopher’s defense caged the Bruins for the final two quarters to win this BVAL Mt. Hamilton opener. Jaxen Robinson threw for 247 yards and three TDs to lead Christopher, which improved to 4-1, 1-0. Branham is 3-2, 0-1. Christian Babcock was in San Jose and has the full report.
Del Mar 14, Gilroy 12
Del Mar didn’t throw often on Thursday night, but backup quarterback Eli Lenihan made his passes count by going 5 for 5 for 122 yards and a touchdown in a tight victory over Gilroy. Adem Tucakovic caught three passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and Jake Schwoob pulled in four balls for 60 yards. Schwoob was dominant on defense, too, recording 10 tackles, two for loss, a sack and an interception. Aidan Rock also rushed for a touchdown, and Isaiah Molina ran for a team-high 72 yards. Brandon Alexis had a sack, and Miguel Medina led the team with 13 tackles. Del Mar remained perfect at 4-0. Gilroy is 0-4. – Joseph Dycus.
Related Articles
History lesson: Saratoga, a former football power, overpowers Mills to stay unbeaten
Freshman quarterback’s late-game heroics lead Clayton Valley to gutsy road win over Liberty
De La Salle remains undefeated despite scare from El Cerrito
Seven TDs! Half Moon Bay running back has game for ages to beat Foothill
Don’t Stop Believin’: St. Ignatius’ two fourth-quarter TDs stun Serra
Independence 27, Prospect 20 (OT)
The 76ers showcased a formidable constitution in coming back to win this one. Independence (3-1) trailed 14-0 before forcing overtime late and coming all the way back to earn victory. Myles Pagaudan tossed two touchdown passes to Shawn Hamilton, and Keoni Mendoza ran in a TD as well for Indy. Prospect’s Cody Roberts completed a lengthy TD pass to Deshawn Augmon and ran for a score himself as the Panthers fell to 2-2. – Christian Babcock
Leigh 27, Oak Grove 14
The Longhorns managed a businesslike win over Oak Grove to start off their Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division slate. Leigh quarterback Charlie Lyon tossed two touchdown passes and threw for 179 yards, weathering a 11 of 28 passing day that included an interception. Callahan Milroy caught a 3-yard touchdown on his only reception of the game, while senior Michael Mogannam caught five balls for 70 yards and a score. Senior Zach Pistor ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Lyon added a rushing score for the Longhorns, who improved to 3-2, 1-0. Malakai Dominguez scored both touchdowns for Oak Grove, which fell to 0-5, 0-1. – Christian Babcock