DUBLIN — De La Salle just makes winning Division I titles look easy.
The Spartans had no trouble claiming it’s 28th consecutive DI title, powering past Pittsburg 49-7 Friday night. Now De La Salle sets its sights on redemption.
With this victory De La Salle is heading to the CIF Open Division state championship and play St.John Bosco
“It’s redemption season,” said Lu Magia Hearns. “We choked last game. We gotta comeback strong mistake free.”
Hearns has a pretty close bloodline with Pittsburg football, the son of legend Lu Hearns. Ironically, he did a lot of damage vs. his dad’s alma mater.
Right before the half ended, Hearns made two big plays back-to-back. After sitting on a comfortable 21-0 lead set up by two Shamar Garrett touchdowns and a Dorian Hale sneak, Hearns caught a long 61-yard touchdown pass. In the following drive, Hearns was able to catch the ball ricocheting off the Pittsburg receivers chest, taking it to the house for 60 yards. Putting De La Salle up comfortably 35 - 0 at half.
“I saw it throw it up in the air. I searched for it, located caught and did what I knew what to do,” said Hearns. “
Pittsburg cooked up a good drive in the third quarter that resulted in Jerry Johnson connecting with Brian Pierce Jr. for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Spartans went on to score two more touchdowns, including a 54-yard run by quarterback Sam O’dell, making it a 49-7.
De La Salle was really looking forward for its redemption vs. Mater Dei after losing last year’s state game. But after a wild game in Cerritos College, De La Salle will take on St. John Bosco in the open division championship.
“We know who they’re going to look like no matter who it is,” said De La Salle head coach Justin Alambaugh. “Our starters haven’t played a ton in the past couple months but our practices have been really good.”
