DUBLIN, CA - After another impressive performance from both the offense and defense, the De La Salle Spartans came out on top 49-17 over Cal, and won their 22nd consecutive section title, 28th overall.
“It feels great,” said senior running back John Velasco on winning the title. “All the blood, sweat, tears in the off-season. It’s finally paying off.”
Velasco ran for 231 yards for a new career high, 176 of which came before halftime, and started off the game with a 28-yard touchdown run to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.
“I couldn’t have done it without my line,” Velasco said. “That’s the key to my success.”
Teammate Antoine Custer finished with 80 yards rushing and a touchdown, adding to that with a punt returned for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 35-3 lead right after halftime.
Chris Williams’ 8-yard touchdown run effectively sealed the victory with 3:40 remaining in the first half as the Spartans were up 28-3, putting the game out of reach and ending any hopes for the Grizzlies.
Currently, De La Salle hasn’t lost to a Northern California opponent in 250 games and has also won four consecutive state bowl title games. Along with the NorCal streak, the Spartans are riding a 39-game win streak against all opponents.
This week will feature a regional game against Folsom. Folsom beat Oak Ridge 49-17 and is highlighted by one of the nation’s top 2015 quarterbacks in Jake Browning. De La Salle knows what is in store for it, and what it will have to do to come out on top.
“We’re taking practice day-by-day,” Velasco said. “We’re just trying to get better each and every day.”
The secondary must improve as well going into next week’s regional matchup. It allowed backup quarterback Matt Lorenz, who is replacing an injured Cameron Owen, to amass 213 yards passing and one touchdown, coming on a 16-yard strike to Ryan Groleau, who finished off the score with a highlight-reel diving catch.
However, Lorenz threw two interceptions, gathered in by David Ortega and Jevari Anderson. Both came when California was driving down the field.
Anderson added to the interception with a 57-yard touchdown run, on his only carry, to give De La Salle a 21-3 lead with 6:10 left in the second quarter.
Cal’s other touchdown came on a 2-yard run from Blake Bierwith on the last carry of his high school career to cut the Spartans lead to 49-17 with under a minute remaining. Bierwith finished with 117 yards on 23 carries.
This was another huge victory for De La Salle to improve to 13-0 on the season. Everything seemed to fall into place, and players believe coach Justin Alumbaugh is a key element.
“The coach put us in the best position to win,” said Velasco. “All the plays, all the schemes, he really put us in the best position to win.”
