Sophomore Chase Salisbury has hit some big kicks already this year for San Ramon Valley, but Friday night’s game-winner with 1.5 seconds left in the game against California likely ranks at the top of the list, as it lifted the Wolves to a come-from-behind 24-21 victory in EBAL-Mountain play.
“We really dug deep and found a way to turn out a couple of real methodical drives when it counted most,” said San Ramon Valley coach Aaron Becker. “First, it was the game-tying drive and then the drive to win the game after a huge defensive stop. We were content at the end to let the clock run down and then call timeout to set up the kick because we had full confidence that Chase would come through.”
California led 21-14 after three quarters, thanks to an eight-yard touchdown run from Belal Alatasi towards the end of the third. But San Ramon Valley (6-3, 2-2) embarked on a six-minute drive to open the fourth quarter, capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Jack Quigley to JP Murphy on a play-action rollout to tie the game at 21.
The Grizzlies (6-3, 1-3) responded quickly to SRV’s score, as Gary Wendschlag returned the ensuing kickoff down to the Wolves’ 34-yard line, but San Ramon Valley’s defense allowed just five yards on the next four plays and took back over at their own 29-yard line with under four minutes remaining in the game.
“We knew we had plenty of time left, and committed mostly to the run so we could chew up the clock and try to make it the last possession of the game,” Becker said. “The kids responded. They are excited and it is a great victory for us.”
San Ramon Valley converted a big third down from the California 23-yard line with under a minute remaining before taking the final timeout with the ball on the 13-yard line, setting up Salisbury’s game-winning 30-yarder.
SRV finishes the regular season next week against district rival Monte Vista, with both teams fighting for a top four seed in the NCS Division I playoffs. California, meanwhile, must rebound from its second straight heart-breaking loss, after falling to Monte Vista the previous week on a touchdown and two-point conversion with 25 seconds left in that game. The Grizzlies finish the regular season at home against Foothill.
Amador Valley paints the town purple
Kannon Dote threw for four touchdowns, including the 16-yard game-winner to Josh Heverly midway through the fourth quarter to lift Amador Valley past cross-town rival Foothill, 28-21, in non-league action on Friday night.
Foothill attempted to respond right away, but Matt Hallgrimson came up with a big interception for the Dons (7-2) at the Amador Valley 43-yard line with 5:40 remaining in the game. Cal Ewanich and Eric Hunter III then each converted for first downs on run plays, with Ewanich’s sweep to the outside coming on a big third-and-seven play early in the drive. That forced the Falcons to use all of their timeouts, and when Kai Burgermeister picked up one more first down, the Dons were able to kneel out the clock.
“It was a back and forth game, just a great football game,” said Amador Valley coach Danny Jones.
Foothill (5-4) took a 21-14 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, on a 56-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Nick Walsh to Justin Craven, but Dote responded with a 44-yard scoring toss to Ewanich.
Neither team ever led by more than seven points, and Amador Valley thrived in the first half with big plays, including a 60-yard scoring pass from Dote to Heverly and a 78-yarder on play-action to Ewanich.
Amador Valley faces Livermore next Friday with the EBAL-Valley title hanging in the balance, despite Livermore’s 14-12 loss to Granada on Friday night. Foothill will look to recover against California, as the Falcons look to secure a top-four seed in the Division 2 playoffs.
Encinal holds off San Leandro in WACC-Foothill showdown
In a battle of league unbeatens, it was Encinal (8-1, 4-0) which held on for the 13-12 victory over San Leandro on Friday night.
David Romero-Reinholz’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Oliver in the third quarter gave Encinal a 13-6 lead, but San Leandro (5-3, 3-1) scored with 1:51 left in the game. Having had an extra-point blocked earlier in the game, the Pirates opted to go for two, but the Encinal defense came up with a goal-line stop to preserve the victory.
“We did a great job holding tough at the end, and then recovering the onside kick to run out the clock,” said Encinal coach Keith Minor. “Jezaiah Naigulevu, Siave Pedro and Isaiah Smith all had great games for us.”
The Jets struck first on a 60-yard interception return by Vince Nunley for a 6-0 Encinal lead in the first quarter. After San Leandro tied the game later in the first quarter on a touchdown run from Ismael Sanchez, Robert Steffani blocked the extra-point to prevent the Pirates from taking the lead. San Leandro also threated to take the lead at the end of the first half, but Nunley came up with another pick, this time on the Encinal goal-line.
Encinal concludes the regular season next Friday at Bishop O’Dowd, which is now tied for second place in the league with San Leandro, though the Dragons lost head-to-head to the Pirates. The Jets can either claim an outright title next week, or O’Dowd can force a three-way tie for the crown. O’Dowd routed Castro Valley 42-0 on Friday night.
San Leandro hosts Berkeley in its regular season finale next Friday.
Liberty bounces back from loss
A week after a heart-breaking loss to Pittsburg in overtime, Liberty started fast on the road against Deer Valley as Jay Butterfield threw four first-half touchdown passes and the Lions cruised to the 63-22 victory.
Butterfield and Cody Muth connected three times in the first half for scores, while Leo Reichhold added another touchdown through the air. Brenden Bell scored once on the ground and Darrion Bartley added a punt return for a score before halftime, as Liberty led 42-0 at the break.
Freshman Jaden Rashada got to show his potential at quarterback in the second half, adding three touchdown passes of his own.
Around the NCS
Berkeley snapped a six-game losing streak and picked up its first win in WACC-Foothill play under coach James Hodgins, defeating Piedmont 31-6.
Chase Sims and Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu combined for five touchdowns as James Logan rolled past Moreau Catholic, 36-20, in a game that should cement the Mission Valley Athletic League title for the Colts.
Kaave Gaviola scored from one yard out and American Canyon held off two final Casa Grande drives to turn back a tough Gauchos’ team, 13-6, in a win that was key to the Wolves’ playoff seeding hopes. Click here to read the full game story from Daniel Poulter of the Napa Valley Register.
Irvington picked up its first win of the season, defeating American 20-13.
Del Norte held Fortuna to just 17 total yards of offense in the first half, and the Warriors slugged their way to the 20-7 victory over the Huskies to remain unbeaten in HDN-Big 4 action. Click here to read the full game story from Andrew Butler of the Eureka Times-Standard.
Northgate struck first with a short field goal, but Benicia rattled off 35 straight points from there to pull away for a 42-10 victory which locks up the DAL-Valley title for the Panthers. Kameron and Kendall Lane combined for three touchdowns on the ground and the Benicia defense scored twice in the victory.
