DOMINIC DRURY, BISHOP O'DOWD
Prep2Prep Student Contributor

November 10, 2013

OAKLDND - It has been more than eight years since the Bishop O’Dowd Dragons have failed to clinch a playoff spot, as a rare Thursday night game against talented San Leandro had everything on the line. As the seniors were honored, and the fog rolled in, the sold out crowd had hardly anything to cheer about as San Leandro defeated the Dragons 46-3.

“This game has been circled on our calendar since day one," San Leandro's Diego Rojas. "We needed this win to win league, and we went out and handled business.”

The WACC Foothill League came to close with the Pirates taking first place, improving their record to 6-4 (5-0 WACC-Foothill) while the Dragons dropped to 3-7 (2-3).

It was all San Leandro from the start, as starting quarterback Stephen Johnson took his team 80 yards down the field, finishing off with a 14-yard run of his own giving the Pirates an early 7-0 advantage.

After forcing the Dragons to go three-and-out, a 69-yard punt return by Johnson silenced the crowd giving San Leandro a 13-0 lead with 7:40 left in the first.

San Leandro showed off its running game, as running back Finau Mata'afa ran the ball 19 yards into the end zone making the score 26-0 with 8:34 left in the second. San Leandro rushed for 274 yards on the night averaging more than seven yards per carry, while the Dragons were held to a total of 26 yards.

After another touchdown on a 23-yard carry by Johnson, the teams went into the locker room with San Leandro comfortably ahead, 39-0. Johnson, who threw for 92 yards in the first half, also ran for a game-high 109 yards on 10 carries.

The Dragons were finally able to put points on the board, as senior Eric Schwartz kicked a 26-yard field goal, making the score 39-3 with 8:12 left in the third.

O’Dowd, although not having a great season, has a lot talent for the future. With a junior quarterback Chris Hagmaier and very talented sophomore wide receiver Corry Barrios, the Dragons are looking to bounce back next year much stronger.

San Leandro is predicted to be #9 seed going into the NCS Division I playoffs, expected to play Granada from Livermore in round 1. The Pirates were a huge surprise to the WACC this year, going undefeated.

“We just need to stay focused and keep working hard day after day,” said Rojas after he was asked how he and his team is going to prepare for NCS.

The final North Coast Section playoff brackets will be announced Sunday afternoon at 11:30am. You can watch live at www.nfhsnetw.com.