Despite their preparation, the Willow Glen Rams were not able to come out victors in their last home game of the BVAL-Mount Hamilton season, falling to Piedmont Hills 27-21.
Quarterback Anthony McBride's three first-half touchdown passes provided the impetus for the Pirate victory. Also for Piedmont Hills (4-4, 3-2), Jalen Williams scored a pair of touchdowns, on a 6-yard run and a 5-yard catch from McBride. But it was Aaron Tillak's 10-yard reception from McBride that was the difference-maker for Piedmont Hills.
The win gives the Pirates sole possession of fourth place in the BVAL-MH Division, which is significant because the top four teams are guaranteed entry into the CCS playoffs.
Willow Glen (3-5, 1-4) had its moments, with quarterback Matt Toscano throwing for nearly 250 yards. His favorite target was Hakeem Mays who hauled in seven passes for 120 yards, including a 75-yard scoring strike from Toscano.
Piedmont Hills scored first on a 30-yard pass from McBride to James Munoz.
Willow Glen trailed 13-0 before Calvin Owen hauled in a 16-yard scoring toss from Toscano with 7:16 left in the first half.
Piedmont Hills responded immediately, with a 6-yard scoring run by Jalen Williams. Tillak's 10-yard scoring aerial from McBride put the Pirates firmly in control, 27-7.
Willow Glen hopes did flicker after Toscano's 1-yard scoring run cuto the Rams' deficit to 27-14 early in the third quarter. The long Toscano-to-Mays scoring hook-up inched the Rams to within six points, but that was as close as they could get.
"The system they run is tough to prepare for during the week," Willow Glen coach Oscar Caballero said. "Obviously they've got some athletes that are able to make some plays. I think in the first half we struggled a little bit, but I was pleased with the way we played defense in the second half."
Said Piedmont Hills' Tillak: "I knew they were gonna be a hard team based off of what we've heard about them, but I know if we came out and played hard we could take the win. Our defense has stepped up a lot in the last couple of weeks, but our offense need to step up second half."
Asked about his seniors who were making their farewell appearance, Caballero said: "I've been pleased with them all year. It's tough to have them play their senior game and not get a win, but we have a lot of special seniors on this team that mean a lot to our program."
