In this week’s look at the top games in the Central Coast Section, Archbishop Riordan continues to roll up the points. Meanwhile, familiar foes Los Gatos and Wilcox came up with huge wins in key early-season PAL-Bay matchups and Salinas has established itself as the team to beat in the PCAL-Gabilan after running away from Aptos.
No. 2 Archbishop Riordan 55, No. 14 Bellarmine 41
After building a massive 42-13 halftime lead, the Crusaders had to fend off a furious Bellarmine rally. But with sophomore Mike Mitchell (18-of-27, 273) tossing 5 more touchdown passes, the explosive Riordan offense once again led the way for the Crusaders (5-1, 3-0 WCAL).
Riordan put up nearly 500 yards of total offense, including a pair of 100-yard rushers in junior Jeremiah Jones (8 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD) and senior Charlie Johnson (10, 114, 2).
The Crusaders host Archbishop Mitty Saturday night. Bellarmine (1-5, 0-3) travels to Serra Saturday afternoon.
No. 4 Los Gatos 37, No. 17 Sacred Heart Prep 7
The Wildcats broke open a close game by outscoring the Gators 23-0 in the second half to roll to a 37-7 victory. Senior QB AJ Minyard (8-for-9, 109 yards, 1 TD) was efficient running the offense and running back Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung ran for 161 yards and 4 TDs on just 17 carries. The Gators (3-3, 1-1 PAL-Bay) were held to 141 yards rushing, with senior Anthony Noto leading the way with 41 yards and a touchdown.
Los Gatos (4-2, 1-0) is back in action Friday at home against Mountain View while SHP makes the short trip to Menlo-Atherton.
No. 9 Salinas 45, No. 6 Aptos 26
Salinas may have been a bit overlooked after opening the season with three straight losses, but the Cowboys certainly appear to be the team to beat in the PCAL-Gabilan after pulling away late to knock off Aptos.
Nolan Borel ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns to lead Salinas (3-3, 2-0 PCAL-Gabilan). And despite racking up 406 yards of total offense, the Mariners (2-4, 1-1) were unable to close the gap. Aptos finished with 311 yards rushing, led by sophomore Desean Gomez (22 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD).
Salinas hosts Monterey Friday night in a game that looked like it would be much tougher a few weeks ago. Aptos hosts Palma Thursday night.
No. 8 Wilcox 41, No. 15 Menlo-Atherton 3
The two public school powerhouses have had their share of epic matchups over the years, but this was certainly not one of them as the Chargers raced out to a 21-0 first-half lead and cruised to their second straight PAL-Bay victory. Senior QB Tyson Bonilla ran for two scores and threw for another, and senior Elijah Walker led a balanced rushing attack with 93 yards and a TD on 16 carries.
Wilcox (4-2, 2-0 PAL-Bay) will take two consecutive trips to the Peninsula starting with a visit to Burlingame Friday night. Menlo-Atherton (2-4, 0-1) hosts Sacred Heart Prep Friday night.
