Bay Area high school football roundup 2024: Best of Week 11 action

Bay Area high school football roundup 2024: Best of Week 11 action

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 49, No. 13 Clayton Valley 3

De La Salle took control when quarterback Toa Faavae scored on a 55-yard keeper just 25 seconds into the game and the Spartans didn’t stop dominating until Robert Williams‘ pick-six on the final play as the Spartans finished the regular season 10-0. Clayton Valley dropped to 6-4. For more on this game, go here.

No. 5 St. Ignatius 24, Mitty 19

SI rallied for 14 consecutive points during a four-minute stretch of the third and fourth periods to end Mitty’s upset bid in a game at Foothill College. Mitty, which will miss the CCS playoffs, finishes the season 4-6 overall but 1-6 and in seventh place in the WCAL. The top six teams in the league qualify for the postseason. St. Ignatius (8-2, 6-1) is second to St. Francis in the league standings. St. Francis plays at Riordan on Saturday. SI is the likely No. 2 seed in Division I when the playoff brackets are announced on Sunday. On Friday, Mitty had taken a 13-7 lead in the third period on a 21-yard pass from Jonah Kroenung to Alec Grimaldo before SI began its 17-point run. Odhran Kenny kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 13-10, then Isaia Vandermade, SI coach Lenny Vandermade’s son, returned an interception for a touchdown to put the Wildcats ahead 17-13. He tipped the pass to himself for about a 15-yard return. St. Ignatius’ final points came when Jarious Hogan scored on a 5-yard run with 9:19 left in the contest. Kenny’s extra point made it 24-13. Hogan set a WCAL single-game record last week with six touchdowns in a win over Sacred Heart Cathedral. He scored two six-pointers against the Monarchs. Mitty cut the margin to 24-19 on a touchdown catch by Owen Harrington with 2:51 remaining, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, then SI recovered the onside kick to wrap it up. – Mike Lefkow 

No. 6 Wilcox 30, No. 21 Menlo-Atherton 21

The game was deadlocked at 21-21 late in the fourth quarter when the Chargers scored a touchdown and a field goal to clinch the PAL Bay with a 5-0 record. Wilcox, 8-2 overall, will learn Sunday whom it will play in the first round of the Central Coast Section playoffs. Chargers coach Paul Rosa figures his team could be the No. 8 seed in Division I or the top seed in Division II. His son, senior Brayden Rosa, scored all four Wilcox touchdowns, the final on a 7-yard run with 3:40 left to play to break the 21-all tie. The Chargers failed to get the extra point after their final TD, but an interception and Armando Rodriguez’s 29-yard field goal made it a two-score game as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Wilcox played the entire second half without sophomore quarterback Kai Imahara, who suffered a separated AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder. Rosa didn’t know on Friday night what Imahara’s status would be for the postseason. Menlo-Atherton (6-4, 2-3) trailed 21-7 at the half but scored two third-quarter touchdowns to get even. Joshua Olsen caught a 6-yard pass from Teddy Dacey to make it 21-14, then Angelo Marin pulled in a 30-yard pass from Dacey for the tying score. Bears coach Chris Saunders figures his team will be seeded somewhere in the middle of Division II for the postseason. All five CCS playoff divisions consist of eight teams. – Mike Lefkow 

No. 10 Serra 29, No. 8 Valley Christian 3

Senior Nano Latu scored two first-half touchdowns, rushed for 82 yards on 12 carries, and caught two passes for 62 yards as Serra, playing at home, defeated Valley Christian to close out the regular season. Both teams will take 5-5 records into the CCS playoffs that start next week. Dave Kiefer was in San Mateo and has the game story here.

Las Lomas 21, No. 12 Acalanes 14

Las Lomas running back Kaden Lagaya ran for 128 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Dylan Thomas threw for 160 yards and a TD as the Knights pulled off the upset. For the second year in a row, Acalanes was unable to secure its first outright league title since 1981. Instead, the Dons settled for a share of the crown with Clayton Valley Charter. With starting quarterback Tyler Winkles sitting out due to an injury, the usually-potent Acalanes passing attack sputtered. RB Josh Elerts ran for 63 yards and caught a touchdown, while Acalanes’ only other score was a 78-yard fumble return by Illias Kaplanes-Jones. Las Lomas’ running game helped the visitors possess the ball for 31 minutes, and its defense held the Dons to just 200 yards of offense. Las Lomas also picked off four passes. Acalanes fell to 7-3, 3-1. Las Lomas improved to 7-3, 2-2. – Joseph Dycus

No. 14 Bishop O’Dowd 49, San Leandro 23

O’Dowd’s offense kept rolling as the Dragons erupted in their regular-season finale. Saliou Sow rushed for two touchdowns and Devin Wilson threw for two more to help lead the way for the WACC Foothill Division champs. Elliott Lewis rushed for a score and Ambrose Carroll returned a kick for a score. San Leandro’s Radman Beatty threw for two touchdowns and Jaymieon Bradley rushed for a score. O’Dowd improved to 8-2, 6-0. San Leandro dropped to 5-5, 3-3. – Nathan Canilao

No. 15 Liberty 14, Heritage 7

It wasn’t pretty, but the Lions eked out a close win against crosstown rival Heritage in the Brentwood Bowl. Benjamin Hill scored a rushing touchdown and Sage Robertson threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Bell. Heritage’s lone touchdown came on a Ilias Muhammad 75-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Kinnaird. Heritage’s defense had four interceptions. Liberty finished the regular season 7-3, 4-1. Heritage dropped to 6-4, 2-3. – Nathan Canilao

No. 16 Christopher 31, Live Oak 7

Jaxen Robinson led Christopher to a big victory over Live Oak, the school his mother starred for as a Hall of Fame softball player. He passed for four touchdowns, two to Evan Vernon and one each to Josiah Garcia and Matthew Boles. Rylan Antipuesto converted a field goal for Christopher. The Cougars (9-1, 6-0) are primed for a CCS run after winning the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division championship outright. Live Oak dropped to 3-6, 3-2. – Christian Babcock

No. 22 Menlo School 20, Sacred Heart Prep 17

Menlo School (7-3, 2-3) picked up its second league win with a close victory over its Valparaiso Ave. next-door neighbor SHP in the Valpo Bowl. Jack Freehill ran in a 5-yard TD, and Chuck Wynn added a 1-yard rushing score for Menlo. Dylan O’Malley nailed two field goals for the Knights, a 35-yarder and a 20-yard game-winner with 4:56 to play. For the Gators (4-6, 1-4), Nico Pollioni tossed a 67-yard touchdown pass to McKinley Palmer. Maxime Morelle ran in a 1-yard score. Nathan Fox nailed a 28-yard field goal for SHP. – Christian Babcock

The King’s Academy 42, No. 24 Capuchino 6

TKA (5-5, 4-1) pulled off the stunner of the night, upsetting Capuchino (8-2, 4-1) in lopsided fashion to finish tied with Cap atop the Peninsula Athletic League De Anza Division standings. Kyle Welch scored two touchdowns for The King’s Academy, while Adrian Barnett, Jaiden Flores, Aaron Duncan and Micah Lokensgard each scored one. – Christian Babcock

East Bay

Alameda 42, Encinal 7

In the 69th edition of the Island Bowl, Alameda’s Christian DeGuzman rushed for 157 yards and Kirk Humbles III caught one TD and intercepted two passes to lead the way. Joseph Dycus was at Thompson Field and has the full story here.

Campolindo 35, Miramonte 17

Trailing by three to DAL Foothill rival Mramonte and with the season on the line entering the fourth quarter, Campolindo scored 21 unanswered points and clinched a berth in the NCS playoffs. Reid Habas ran for a touchdown on a quarterback sneak, and Micah Parker rushed for TDs of 50 and 30 yards to help Campolindo pull away. Crosby Kelly helped seal the win defensively, ending the night with four sacks. Coach Kevin Macy said that as Campo (5-5, 2-2) finished off the victory over the Matadors (4-6, 0-4), the Cougars’ student section chanted “one more week.” – Joseph Dycus

Granada 28, Livermore 27

The Matadors captured their first league title since 2018, rallying to beat crosstown rival Livermore at home. The victory gave Granada the EBAL Valley Division championship. Nathan Canilao was in Livermore and has the recap here.

James Logan 34, Berkeley 20

Lamar Ellis rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns as Logan defeated Berkeley at home in a WACC Foothill game. Andre Williams had a 70-yard pick-six and six sacks to lead the Colts’ defense. Idán Wade-Curiel was a bright spot for Berkeley, completing 10 of 16 passes for 150 yards and a score. Logan finished the regular season 4-6, 4-2. Berkeley is 5-5, 2-4. – Nathan Canilao

Moreau Catholic 62, Tennyson 8

Jeremiah Charles led the way for Moreau, completing 9 of 11 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns in the Mariners’ win over Tennyson in WACC Foothill play. Jalen Arnold caught five passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Jayden Bryant rushed for 80 yards and a score. Seth Evans had a rushing score and Peyton Collins had a rushing and receiving touchdown. Moreau improved to 6-4, 5-1. Tennyson dropped to 2-8, 0-6. – Nathan Canilao

Northgate 63, Mt. Diablo 26

Blayne Ballard recorded five total touchdowns — three receiving touchdowns, a pick-six and a strip-six — as Northgate easily handled Mt. Diablo en route to securing a spot in the NCS playoffs. Along with Ballard, quarterback Brady Willis threw for four touchdowns while Deangelo Smith, Tristan Tolerton and Dax Gordon each rushed for touchdowns. For Mt. Diablo, quarterback Michael Vasquez threw for four touchdowns. Justice delos Santos was in Walnut Creek and has the full story here.

South Bay/Peninsula

Branham 42, Leigh 13

In Stephen Johnson’s final regular-season game as Branham’s head coach, the Bruins (7-3, 4-2) made quick work of rival Leigh (4-6, 2-4). Seniors Zayne St. Laurent, Aden Newberg and Jimmy Scibetta caught TD passes from senior QB Jack Lewis. Junior Brayden Hodges caught one as well. Senior Chris Von Barloewen snagged an interception. Senior Thomas Nguyen posted two sacks and a pass deflection. Senior Joel Ruiz-Pineda forced a strip-sack fumble. Leigh’s Charlie Lyon threw touchdown passes to Trent Smiley and Miles Huntington. – Christian Babcock

Evergreen Valley 35, Yerba Buena 26

Senior running back Dylan Ly scored five touchdowns for the second time in three games, helping the Cougars finish with a winning record (6-4, 4-2 BVAL West Valley) for the first time since 2020, when they were 3-2 during the pandemic-shortened season. Two weeks ago, Ly also scored five TDs in a 33-18 victory over Hill. Ly ran for 361 yards against Yerba Buena, giving him 1,068 yards for the season. He scored 14 touchdowns. Other standouts for the Cougars were Brandon Chan with 10 tackles and an interception, and Tristan Ho with two picks. Yerba Buena finished its season at 1-8 overall and 1-5 in league play. – Mike Lefkow

Fremont-Sunnyvale 28, Homestead 14

Fremont (3-7, 2-3) finished its season with a feel-good win in the annual Battle for the Bell game. The Firebirds trailed 14-0 at the half and scored 22 fourth-quarter points to seal the victory. Senior quarterback Henry Buenrostro ran the ball 28 times for 152 yards, three touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He added an interception on defense. Senior running back Praxido Gacrama ran for 103 yards on 11 carries and scored the go-ahead fourth-quarter TD on a 20-yard scamper. Fremont intercepted Homestead four times, the final one from senior Jadon Smith to stop a potential game-tying drive. Senior Finley Ireland led Fremont with 11 tackles. Homestead (2-8, 0-5) had 150 team rushing yards to help build its halftime lead. Ido Saban ran in a 15-yard touchdown, and Carson Chang scored a 1-yard rushing TD. – Christian Babcock

Gunderson 47, San Jose 10

Gunderson dominated San Jose to cap a special season with a CCS berth, outright league championship and unbeaten BVAL West Valley slate. Andrew Fernandez passed for five TDs to lead the Grizzlies. Christian Babcock was at Gunderson and has the full story here.

Gunn 28, Jefferson 7

Two years after going 0-10, Gunn finished the regular season 10-0 as the Titans tuned back red-hot Jefferson to capture the PAL Lake Division championship. Yonatan Smolyar carried 29 times for 147 yards and a touchdown to help lead the way. Glenn Reeves was in Palo Alto and has the full recap here.

Half Moon Bay 16, Terra Nova 8

Half Moon Bay (8-2, 3-2) picked up a nice win over rival Terra Nova (2-6, 0-5) in the annual Skull Game to round out its CCS resume in the final week of Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division play. Ronin McCauley caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Dusty Dimas for Half Moon Bay. Adler Halterman ran in a touchdown and compiled 117 yards on the ground for the Cougars. Connor Heath ran in a two-point conversion, as did Halterman. Ronin McCauley intercepted a pass for HMB. For Terra Nova, Zac Perez had the lone score with a 10-yard run. Ryan Cory ran in the Tigers’ two-point conversion. – Christian Babcock

MacDonald 47, Lynbrook 6

MacDonald (4-6, 4-4) finished its inaugural season strongly with a fourth win in the last six games of PAL Lake Division action. Dom Hunt scored two receiving TDs and returned a punt for a third score. Siaosi Hautau had a rushing touchdown and an additional receiving score. Moussa Fall completed three touchdown passes. With only juniors and younger players on its team, MacDonald could theoretically return every one of its varsity players next season. Lynbrook finished the season 0-10, 0-8. – Christian Babcock

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Mountain View 28, Los Altos 0

Mountain View was not in a giving mood on Friday night at home. The Spartans (2-8, 2-4) picked up their second win of the season in shutout fashion. Liam Tyler caught a touchdown pass from Ishan Devarapalli. Braden Greene scored a TD on a reverse. Ami Sekona returned a punt to the house. Diego Ortega Gerow powered in a rushing touchdown. Jason Allen scored on a two-point conversion. Brigham Robinson and Gavin De Guzman were Mountain View’s leading tacklers. Luke Orrock and Fernando Reyes were great in coverage all night for the Spartans. Los Altos (3-7, 2-4) was led by senior receiver Colton Caputo, who compiled three catches for 82 yards. This was Mountain View’s ninth consecutive win in the series between the teams. – Christian Babcock

Overfelt 32, Silver Creek 22

Overfelt (5-5, 4-1) closed out the regular season with a nice win over Silver Creek. The Royals finished second in the BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division. Silver Creek (5-5, 2-3) placed fourth. Gio Mejia completed 21 of 31 passes for Silver Creek, passing for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Austin Price compiled 152 receiving yards and two TDs for the Raiders. Noa Wooden added 57 air yards and a score. – Christian Babcock 

Sacred Heart Cathedral 35, Bellarmine 10

Michael Sargent ran for a touchdown and threw for a TD to give SHC a two-score lead and the Fightin’ Irish didn’t look back as they sent Bellarmine to its first 0-10 season with a victory at Kezar Stadium. For more on this game, go here.