KENTFIELD - Sophomore quarterback Michael Ingrassia took control on Saturday afternoon, leading Marin Catholic to an overwhelming win in its first game of the season, routing El Cerrito 42-6.
Ingrassia threw for 220 yards, hitting 14 out of 18 passes. Marin Catholic coach Mazi Moayed was pleased with his young quarterback's performance.
"Michael did a solid job protecting the ball and made mature choices for his first start," Moayed said. "We did have a few hiccups up front, however.
MC jumped out to a quick lead, scoring with 10:52 left in the first quarter, on a one-yard plunge from running back Matteo Perez. The Wildcats then controlled the field after an El Cerrito punt, and Ingrassia marched the MC offense down the field, connecting on a 12-yard scoring pass to senior Gaven Cooke to make the score 14-0 after one quarter. Marin Catholic continued to dominate in the second quarter. The defense held El Cerrito to a total of two yards in the first half, while the offense scored two more times before the end of the second quarter.
Ingrassia made it clear after the game that he couldn’t do it alone.
"Our line blocked really well, and overall everyone did a good job today," Ingrassia said. "I'm just glad to be out here."
Marin Catholic’s defense also controlled the game, led by Giovanni Gillotti, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior who ended his day with 14 tackles, with five of tackles leading to a loss of yardage. The Wildcats gave up one touchdown to El Cerrito in the third quarter, when the Gauchos connected on a 51-yard scoring pass to sophomore Robert Freeman with 3:28 left on the clock, and the quarter ended with the score 35-6 in favor of Marin Catholic. USC-committed 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive lineman Jamar Sekona also kicked off his season with 10 tackles, and four of those tackles were for a loss, plus two sacks.
And while Ingrassia played really well behind center, Marin Catholic running back Matteo Perez often found a way to end up in the end zone. Perez found his first touchdown less than two minutes into the game with his one-yard plunge, and then proceeded to score two more touchdowns. He scored again in the third quarter on a four-yard run, and then in the fourth quarter on a pass from Ingrassia, Perez caught the ball at the three-yard line, then ran in score his third touchdown, putting the final points on the scoreboard. Perez ended his day with 17 carries and 175 yards to go with the three scores.
Marin Catholic’s Spencer Lauer added five pass receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown while Geordie Aarsheim had three pass receptions for 97 yards and a 22-yard touchdown.
Marin Catholic hosts McClymonds next Saturday, while El Cerrito looks to bounce back in a tough match-up against Vintage-Napa.
