Sobrato took down Archbishop Riordan 40-17 Saturday night to advance to the CCS semifinals for the first time.
“Sobrato has only been around for eight years, but we’ve never won a playoff game," Sobrato coach Nick Borello said. "We’ve been to the playoffs about four times, but this is our first playoff victory. We are breaking new ground everyday now. It’s pretty exciting. We expected to beat Riordan; we didn’t think we were the underdog. We knew what league they were coming from and that they were a good team no matter what their league record says.”
With one victory over a WCAL team under their belt, the Bulldogs (8-3) will get another opportunity against third-seeded Valley Christian Saturday night at Live Oak High School.
On the first play of the game, Riordan fumbled with Sobrato recovering. Drew Glines then slashed for a 6-yard touchdown for Sobrato.
Riordan responded on its ensuing possession, when quarterback Chris Hall ran 47 yards to set up a Crusader field goal. But the Bulldogs bounced right back with a 42-yard run by quarterback Michael Bosnick to set up a 3-yard Glines scoring run. Sobrato led 14-3 after one quarter.
“I’ve been starting for varsity since sophomore year so this is really satisfying,” Bocksnick said. “We’ve been to playoffs before, but this is the first time in history that we’ve won and made it to the semifinals.”
Sobrato padded its lead in the second quarter. JoJo Nunn caught a 10-yard scoring pass near the end of the first half as the Bulldogs increased their lead to 20-3. Nunn was humble about his deed.
“We’re more of a team. We’re more of a family, so I don’t take any credit,” Nunn said. “I have the quarterback and the line to thank for that.”
Riordan coach Richard Sweeney was downcast about the loss, but hopeful about the future.
"It’s a simple recipe. We can’t win games with penalties and turnovers," Sweeney said. “We need some time off to get away from the game, hopefully rest up and come January we’ll be back in the weight room.”
Riordan (3-8) wasn't quite done in this game, though. Kyle Craig scored from two yards to pull the Crusaders to within 20-10. However, Sobrato increased its lead with two more touchdowns by Glines.
Sobrato led 33-10 after three quarters and was not going to be caught.
Despite the loss, at least one Riordan player looked on the sunny side.
“It was a pleasure to be here with these guys. They did well; the line did really good. Losing our best player (quarterback Zach Masoli) a few games ago was really tough on us, but we formed as a team,” Riordan junior Chris Hall said. “Yes we miss our best player, Zach, but these guys just kept on fighting. Getting to the playoffs was an amazing experience. Next year we’re going to be working on a lot. We will just work on trying to get back to where we are right now.”
The teams each had a touchdown in the fourth quarter. First Sobrato scored on a 37-yard run by Bocksnick. Then Riordan tallied on a 9-yard run by Hall.
Now Sobrato will host Valley Christian, a considerably stronger West Catholic Athletic League entry than Riordan. Although the Warriors are just 5-6 overall, they are coming off a 56-14 demolition of Burlingame Saturday night.
Said Glines: “It’s a big relief and really exciting to win a playoff game after losing last year."
Added Bocksnick: “Next week we’re going to practice even harder to come out with another W."
“We’re happy to have a home game," said Borello, "but we know we have a challenge ahead of us.”
