CONCORD, CA - Junior running back Marshel Martin led the way for the St.Patrick-St Vincent offense, finishing with 256 yards rushing and two touchdowns to help lift SPSV (10-3) to a 30-16 victory over Berean Christian (8-4).
"We played our brand of football tonight and did a good job containing their offense," said SPSV head coach Lane Hawkins.
The Bruins' offense started fast, scoring three first-half touchdowns, including a 24-yard touchdown throw by quarterback Anthony Olmes to senior receiver Marquel Johnson with 7.4 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Bruins a commanding 24-7 lead heading into halftime. Olmes also scored the Bruins' first touchdown of the night, on a 26-yard run in the first quarter.
"Coach saw that I had a one-on-one on the outside and just threw it up to me to let me make a play," said Johnson, who is also a standout point guard in basketball.
Berean Christian responded, as senior receiver Isaiah Hodgins capped off a 65-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run with 8:43 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 10 points at 24-14.
Berean Christian quarterback Chandler Davis finished with 203 yards passing and one touchdown, including 94 of those yards and touchdown to Hodgins.
The Bruins offense would be held to three straight punts, but would score it's final touchdown with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter, on a 32-yard touchdown run by Martin to give SPSV a commanding 30-14 lead.
Berean Christian then drove 57 yards to SPSV one-yard line, but fumbled the snap, which was recovered by SPSV linebacker Noah Maher to seal the deal for the Bruins.
"Playing in such a tough league (TCAL-Rock) really prepared us mentally and physically for this game," said Hawkins, referring to the higher level of competition the Bruins faced during the regular season.
St. Pat's will now play Fort Bragg for the NCS Division 5 title. That game is on Saturday, December 3 at Alhambra High School.
