Menlo-Atherton came from behind for a 14-7 win over Sacred Heart Prep to improve to 2-0 in the PAL-Bay. It was the second straight win for the Bears, who went 0-5 during a grueling non-league campaign.
Sacred Heart Prep (2-5, 0-2) took a 7-0 first-quarter lead on a three-yard touchdown pass from JP Durrett to Madyn Misra, but the Bears rallied in the second half for two scores. Senior QB Milo Lazare connected on a short pass to Kyle Gabriel, and the junior did the rest, breaking a tackle and racing down the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown. Menlo-Atherton took the lead on a four-yard run from Spencer Ama Jr. early in the fourth quarter.
The Bears join Los Gatos and Wilcox atop the Bay Division. Los Gatos clobbered The King’s Academy 49-12. Senior RB Devonte Troutt ran for 219 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries as the Wildcats (6-1, 2-0) built a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to victory.
Wilcox improved to 2-0 with a 28-7 win over Menlo. Freshman Haris Omeragic carried 20 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Chargers, who visit Menlo-Atherton Friday night. Los Gatos, the clear title favorite, hosts Menlo Friday night. Sacred Heart Prep travels to Sunnyvale to take on The King’s Academy in a battle of 0-2 teams.
In the PAL-De Anza, San Mateo moved to 2-0 with an important 17-14 win over Palo Alto. The Vikings (5-2, 1-1) held a 14-7 lead after one quarter on a touchdown run by junior Okiki Asogba and a kickoff return for a touchdown by senior Adam Maldonado. But the Bearcats (6-1, 2-0) got a pair of touchdown runs from senior Roman Toki to pull out the win and join Half Moon Bay as the only unbeaten teams in the league heading into the final three weekends of the regular season.
The Cougars improved to 7-0 overall (3-0 PAL-De Anza) with a hard-fought 35-28 win over Burlingame. Junior Joedoln Flores scored a couple of rushing touchdowns for Half Moon Bay, which hosts San Mateo Thursday night.
In the other PAL-De Anza game, Woodside handled Mountain View 33-0. The Wildcats host Burlingame Friday night.
In the PAL-Ocean, Milpitas and Carlmont set the stage for a Week 9 showdown with big wins to improve to 2-0. The Trojans surpassed the 40-point mark for the fourth week in a row in a 41-19 win over Aragon. Senior QB Jonah Mati led the way for Milpitas with 264 yards passing and three touchdowns and senior Nizhir Bess added 81 yards rushing and two scores.
Carlmont blasted Capuchino 61-28 behind four touchdown passes from senior Brody Zirelli, who completed 16-of-18 passes for 304 yards. Senior Austin Sotto caught 9 passes for 144 yards, and senior Dylan Sorensen added 103 yards receiving and two touchdowns for the Scots.
In the other divisional matchup, Sequoia knocked off Hillsdale 38-14. The Ravens visit Aragon Thursday, and Hillsdale visits Capuchino Friday.
In the El Camino Division, Terra Nova continued to roll with a 41-7 win over Fremont to improve to 3-0. Junior QB Robbie Johnson hit on 12-of-23 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns, and senior Holden Najar caught five passes for 98 yards and two TDs. The Tigers visit Santa Clara Friday night.
Jefferson (4-3, 2-0) kept pace with a 34-28 win over Los Altos. Freshman Jeremiah Hodge led the way with 105 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the Grizzlies, who host South San Francisco Thursday night. The Warriors fell to 1-2 in the El Camino with a 34-17 loss to Santa Clara.
Homestead improved to 4-0 in the PAL-Lake with a 35-14 win over Mills. The Mustangs will take on Gunn (3-0 PAL-Lake) for first place Friday night in Cupertino. Gunn lost 33-12 in an intersectional matchup against St. Helena. In other PAL-Lake games, MacDonald beat El Camino 28-21, and Saratoga hammered Cupertino 48-7.
