Bay Area high school football roundup 2023: Best of Week 5 action

No. 1 Serra overpowers SHC in WCAL opener. Foothill stuns crosstown rival Amador Valley. Willow Glen wins a barnburner against Overfelt. Miramonte edges Northgate in a thriller. Oakland, which entered the season on a 21-game losing streak, improves to 4-0.

Welcome back to the high school football roundup from the Bay Area News Group.

You’ll find all the details from the weekend’s action in this news organization’s coverage area, which includes teams from Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.

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Now for the roundup…

Ranked teams

No. 1 Serra 61, Sacred Heart Cathedral 0

The top-ranked team in the Bay Area News Group scored at least one touchdown in each quarter en route to its 16th straight victory over Sacred Heart Cathedral. The visiting Padres (4-0) scored their first three touchdowns on the ground, with Jaden Green scoring one and Nano Latu scoring two. Tight end Cole Harrison caught a touchdown pass midway through the second quarter to make it 28-0, and quarterback Maealiuaki Smith finished the first-half scoring with a 4-yard run to put Serra up 35-0 in both schools’ West Catholic Athletic League opener. The 61-point margin of victory is the largest for the Padres during their 16-game winning streak, which began in 2008. There have been no games that have been closer than 18 points (twice). Sacred Heart Cathedral went 0-4 at home in Kezar Stadium. Jaden Lim, Brooks Trimmer, and Chris Yoon on a 65-yard run also scored for the Padres. – Michael Lefkow

No. 2 De La Salle 14, Folsom 7

Derrick Blanche rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts, and Dominic Kelley carried 25 times for 105 yards to lead De La Salle to a hard-fought road victory over Northern California powerhouses. DLS improved to 3-2 with the win. Darren Sabedra has the Folsom recap here.

No. 3 San Ramon Valley 66, No. 11 Liberty 12

Luke Baker threw for 363 yards and five touchdowns as San Ramon Valley defeated Liberty by 42 points in the first quarter — yes, the first quarter. The game’s story is told by Madeline Kenney.

Edison-Huntington Beach 21, No. 8 Wilcox 7

In a game played in Bakersfield, Edison (2-3) broke a 7-7 tie with 14 points in the second quarter. The game was scheduled at the last minute after The King’s Academy was forced to cancel a game against Wilcox. The Chargers took a bus down and back on Friday. Wilcox coach Paul Rosa stated that the driver became disoriented on the way to the stadium, causing the game to begin late. “Long day,” Rosa said via text. Wilcox (2-2) tied the game on an 11-yard run by Jeiman Delos Santos that capped a 13-play drive. Despite QB Tyson Bonilla rushing for over 100 yards, Wilcox only managed one touchdown. Wilcox will play at home next week when it hosts Mountain View in the PAL Bay Division opener for both schools on Friday. – Michael Lefkow

No. 10 El Cerrito 24, Vacaville 16

Senior quarterback Michael Vanhook’s four touchdowns helped keep the host Gauchos undefeated at 5-0. Kamani Jackson, a Washington State commit, is better known as a lockdown defensive back, but he torched Vacaville as a receiver on Friday night. Jackson had touchdown receptions of 20, 25, and 60 yards. Vanhook’s final touchdown pass to Zion Shelton was a three-yard slant. El Cerrito also maintained its lead thanks to Savion Bandy’s two interceptions. Following a bye week, the Gauchos will travel to Bethel on Oct. 7. — Dycus, Joseph

No. 13 St. Francis 42, No. 14 Archbishop Mitty 20

Kingston Keanaaina rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries to lead host St. Francis past previously undefeated Mitty in a WCAL opener. On the first play of the second half, Keanaaina’s 63-yard touchdown run set the tone for the rest of the game. Dave Kiefer has all the Mountain View details here.

Foothill 12, No. 15 Amador Valley 7

In a matchup between Pleasanton rivals, visiting Foothill scored on a nifty diving catch by Michael O’Donoghue in the first quarter and on a 1-yard sneak by QB Erik Olsen to secure the upset. With a full-extension dive in the back of the end zone, O’Donoghue scored on a halfback option from Andre Armendariz. Olsen made it 12-0 after Jake Patterson raced 50 yards to set up the game-winning touchdown. With less than four minutes remaining in the game, Amador Valley had pulled within one score on a pass from Aidan Foley to Nate Jetter. – Michael Lefkow

No. 22 Campolindo 38, No. 16 Monte Vista 14

Campolindo’s offense finally clicked in a dominating performance at Monte Vista, but the Cougars’ defense was even better. In the stunning rout, junior Luke Bonardi had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. From Danville, Joseph Dycus has the full story.

No. 18 California 48, Milpitas 6

California’s Jayden Macedo threw four touchdown passes and Carson Fife blocked three punts in a rout of previously undefeated Milpitas (3-1). California is now 3-2. Mike Lefkow has more information here.

No. 20 Christopher 35, Gilroy 0

Christopher cruised to a road victory over crosstown rival Gilroy on Thursday night, as William Rizqallah and Ray Waller each ran for two touchdowns and Jaxen Robinson threw a 20-yard TD pass to tight end Terrence Barnes. The Cougars scored 21 points in the first quarter and another 14 in the third quarter. Christopher improved to 5-0 despite allowing an average of 10 points per game this season. The Cougars will be off the following week before beginning Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division play on Oct. 6 at Oak Grove. Gilroy (0-4) travels to Sobrato on Saturday. Darren Sabedra’s

No. 25 Las Lomas 21, Benicia 16

Sava Pouridis and Kaden Lagaya each scored touchdowns, and Daniel Soccol kicked two field goals to lift Las Lomas to a victory at Benicia in a game that winning coach Doug Longero described as “sloppy.” Owen Wittry’s long touchdown pass to Daniel Valdez gave Benicia a one-score lead. The visitors’ scoring was completed by two Las Lomas field goals. Stevie Jordan’s touchdown and a blocked punt put Benicia within striking distance. Benicia thought it had taken the lead when Myles Cooper connected with Valdez with 4:15 remaining, but officials called the home team for two forward passes. Las Lomas is now 4-0. On Friday, the Knights will host crosstown rival Northgate. On Friday, Benicia (1-3) travels to Campolindo. Darren Sabedra’s

East Bay

Alameda 34, Encinal 0

Alameda defeated Encinal in this season’s island bowl, a year after losing a one-point heartbreaker to Encinal. Senior Hayden Arndt “was making big tackles for loss all day on the D-line to help us get the ball back,” according to coach Robin Morris, and senior Sinisa Finau also had multiple sacks to lead Alameda. Senior Yousuf Avecado had an interception, and sophomore Landyn Cole and senior Will Roizen each had a receiving touchdown. Senior tight end Will Hester also had a touchdown reception, and junior running back Dion Bier scored six points on the ground. Alameda’s win over Encinal on the road was its first since 2015, and it snapped a six-game losing streak in the series. Alameda (4-0) hosts San Lorenzo next Friday, while Encinal (1-4) has a bye before traveling to Berkeley on Oct. 6. — Dycus, Joseph

Antioch 40, Tennyson 16

Several players contributed to Antioch’s final non-league game of the season. Issac Gaines, a senior cornerback, returned an interception for a touchdown, and Javion Smith, a senior defensive back, caught a touchdown pass. Both quarterback Larenzo Mayfield and sophomore running back Jaimaun Glover scored touchdowns. Curtis Tucker, a 6-foot-1 junior running back, scored twice. Antioch (4-1) travels to Heritage on Friday, while Tennyson (1-4) has a bye week before hosting Bishop O’Dowd on Oct. 6. — Dycus, Joseph

Berkeley 54, Castro Valley 37

In a non-league game, junior Nate Garland scored five touchdowns to lead the visiting Yellowjackets past Castro Valley. Both teams have a 2-3 record. Garland, a junior, had four rushing touchdowns and a six-point reception. The game was close until the fourth quarter, when the Yellowjackets scored the final 12 points to win 42-37. QB Deontae Faison, a transfer from McClymonds, threw two touchdown passes, one to Cahlil Snead and the other to Dashiell Guerreiro-Ramos. Kamren Bell, a sophomore running back, ran 60 yards for another six points. Conner Cooper and Ruben Aguirre delivered standout performances for Castro Valley. Cooper scored twice, once on an interception return and once on the ground. He rushed for 81 yards. He also recorded nine tackles. Aguirre rushed for 112 yards and caught a touchdown pass. Jalen Harris, the Jackets’ leading rusher last season, has been cleared to play and should be in uniform against Encinal on Oct. 6, according to Berkeley coach David Perry. Harris has been sidelined since undergoing off-season labrum surgery. – Michael Lefkow

Deer Valley 34, Dougherty Valley 28

Deer Valley was on the other side of that experience a week after losing a one-possession game on an interception in the red zone when senior Coby Fosselman intercepted a Dougherty Valley pass with a minute left in the game. Lorenzo Craven intercepted a pass and forced a fumble. As a dual-threat quarterback, senior Jai’on Gary ran for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing for three. Senior running back Jabari McKinney scored on a 15-yard screen pass, senior Ivan Padilla had 100 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Shawndell Hines caught Gary’s other touchdown pass. After a bye week, Deer Valley (3-2) will play at Pittsburg on Oct. 6. On Friday, Dougherty Valley (1-4) will host Washington-Fremont. — Dycus, Joseph

Granada 56, San Leandro 20

The Matadors (4-1) won for the fourth week in a row, thanks to the passing of QB Quinn Boyd, who threw for 446 yards and seven touchdowns. Christian Clouser had seven receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Granada has won all four games by at least 14 points. In Granada’s five games, Boyd, a 6-foot-4 senior, has passed for 1,804 yards and 23 touchdowns. Clouser’s totals increased to 28 catches for 591 yards and six touchdowns, tying him for the team lead with Quinn’s younger brother, Mikey Boyd. Hayden Hobbs, Estevan Duarte, Peyton Richards, and Boyd also scored against the Pirates, who fell to 1-3. Richards also scored on a 75-yard kickoff return. The Matadors total offense was 482 yards. Granada’s victory in the EBAL Valley Division sets up a non-league meeting with EBAL Mountain powerhouse California in San Ramon next Friday. – Michael Lefkow

James Logan 27, Heritage 21

Heritage dominated the first three quarters, scoring 21-7 on a Brooks Davis kick return, a 15-yard JJ Kinnaird touchdown reception from Austin Peters, and another touchdown early in the third quarter. But the Colts were unstoppable in the fourth period. Tu’unahala Leao, a senior linebacker, had 14 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception for good measure. During the rally, senior running back Giovanni Marcelo scored two rushing touchdowns, and quarterback Jonathan Craft scored the final touchdown to give Logan the lead. Logan (1-4) will host San Leandro on Oct. 6 after a bye week, and Heritage (2-3) will host Antioch the following Friday. — Dycus, Joseph

Miramonte 28, Northgate 27

Miramonte opened its DAL Foothill schedule with a resounding victory over Northgate. Senior defensive backs Rhys Hire and JD Pearce broke up Northgate’s final pass at the goal line, according to Miramonte coach Jack Schram, and Pearce also had an interception on the second-to-last drive. Carson Blair, a sophomore quarterback, threw touchdown passes to Jack Quinnild and Gabe Roman. Charlie Hwang, a sophomore, and Roman both scored rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kawika Boyd threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns, and junior receiver Blayne Ballard had 233 yards from scrimmage, a receiving touchdown, and a passing touchdown for Northgate. Northgate also had touchdowns from Ben Hosler and senior Jake Berger. Brady Willis and Jack Kessler each had nine tackles for the Broncos. Northgate (0-4) will try to rebound at Las Lomas on Friday, while Miramonte (4-0) will play at College Park. — Dycus, Joseph

Mt. Diablo 36, Castlemont 33

The visiting Red Devils improved to 4-1 thanks to senior RB Herschel Turner Jr.’s 345 yards and five touchdowns on 25 carries. In Mt. Diablo’s five games this season, the senior transfer from Freedom has gained 1,584 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Turner has a rushing average of 316.8 yards per game. Castlemont is playing much better than its 1-3 record suggests. The Knights’ three losses this season have been by a combined score of 21 points. – Michael Lefkow

Oakland 14, Washington-San Francisco 0

Coming into this season, the Wildcats’ expectations were low. They had lost 21 consecutive games dating back to 2019 and had fewer than 25 players suit up each week. Oakland, on the other hand, has found success under first-year coach Terry Hendrix Jr. The non-league win at Washington (2-2) improved the Wildcats’ record to 4-0, their best start since 2004 when they started the season with six straight victories. In the final minute of the first quarter, Ymer Belvine returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown, and Rahshaan Buffin scored on a 1-yard run early in the fourth. After the first touchdown, a two-point conversion made it 8-0, and it appeared the game would remain that way until Buffin, a senior quarterback, added some insurance. Oakland’s cornerback Aaron Boulware stood out in this defensive battle, recording an interception in each half. Between 2012 and 2017, Hendrix coached at Fremont-Oakland for six seasons, compiling a 36-29 record. He’s worked as an assistant coach at several schools since then, most recently at Skyline. The Wildcats will travel four hours by bus to play Atascadero on Friday. – Michael Lefkow

South Bay/Peninsula

Cupertino 34, Saratoga 13

Cupertino has 34 points, while Saratoga has 13.

Cupertino led the Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division opener with two touchdowns on the ground and two more on the ground from Shen Hernandez-Ong. Saratoga took the lead after a turnover and a short field. Cupertino tied the game on a 7-yard pass from Hernandez-Ong to James Xue before taking the lead on an 8-yard Hernandez-Ong run. Arvin Hosseini’s 4-yard run and a scoring pass from Hernandez-Ong to Jaidyn Sinclair extended the Pioneers’ lead. Brandon Cheng, a sophomore who was promoted to the varsity team before the game, made an impressive debut with two interceptions and more than 80 yards on kickoff and punt returns. Cupertino (2-2, 1-0) hosts Lynbrook on Friday, while Saratoga (1-3, 0-1) travels to Mills. Glenn Reeves’

Del Mar 44, James Lick 0

Andre Latimore, the Dons’ do-it-all senior quarterback, sliced Lick up through the air and on the ground Thursday night. Latimore’s arm kept the visitors honest, completing 5 of 7 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. The 20-yard touchdown pass was caught by wide receiver Jake Schwoob. Latimore also rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on just eight attempts, one of which was a 60-yard run. Bradley Tavish, a powerful running back, also ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Manny Bernel-Martinez, according to coach Robert Chapman, anchored the Del Mar defense in the middle. Del Mar (1-3) travels to San Jose next Friday, while Lick (0-4) hosts Yerba Buena. — Dycus, Joseph

Lincoln-San Jose 13, Silver Creek 10

Lincoln built a 13-3 halftime lead and held on as Silver Creek missed a field-goal attempt with 12 seconds remaining that would have tied the game. QB Kyan Phillips gave Lincoln the lead with a 14-yard run in the first quarter and added a 6-yard run in the second. He rushed for 92 yards on 15 attempts and completed 9 of 18 passes for 120 yards. Justin Wietecha added five receptions for 80 yards for Lincoln. In the third quarter, Trajan Sinatra scored on a run to pull Silver Creek within three points. For the home team, Alonzo Hernandez and Rudy Hernandez combined for 138 yards rushing. Lincoln (3-2) will take the week off before traveling to Live Oak to begin BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division play on Oct. 6. On Friday, Silver Creek (4-1) travels to Westmont. Darren Sabedra’s

Live Oak 42, Branham 21

In a game between two 3-0 teams, the Acorns took care of business quickly, scoring three first-quarter touchdowns on runs of at least 45 yards. Senior Josh Gagni opened the scoring with a 66-yard run, Christian Hauge added a 45-yard touchdown run, and Zurik Peery raced 75 yards with a fumble to extend the lead to 21-zip. After that, Branham never got closer than 28-8. Gagni rushed for 281 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, giving him 797 yards and ten touchdowns in four games. Live Oak gained 395 yards on the ground. Zach Rocha led the defense with 11 tackles, while Raymond Ramirez had ten. Branham quarterback Jack Lewis completed 12 of 22 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. – Michael Lefkow

Menlo-Atherton 21, Palo Alto 0

Devin Hyde led a defensive effort that held Palo Alto scoreless with three sacks and other tackles for loss. Defensively, lineman Gavin Di Gangi and linebacker Anthony Van Der Meer stood out. M-A’s offense got a boost when 280-pound running back Jordan Masuisui returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering an injury in fall camp. He scored on the ground, and Xander Eschelman threw two touchdown passes to Alek Marshall. Both teams will have a week off before starting Peninsula Athletic League play on Oct. 6. M-A hosts Wilcox, while Palo Alto hosts Menlo School. Glenn Reeves’

Monta Vista 22, Gunn 10

Monta Vista won its PAL Lake Division opener thanks to two touchdown passes from Rohit Pamidi to Sai Patel. Graham Ischo had a rushing touchdown and Neiv Gupta rushed for 110 yards. Ace Chow and Pamidi both converted two-point plays. Linemen Avant Kushlous and Nate Diaz, as well as Hamza Moharram and Finnegan Hassy, performed admirably on defense. Maaz Zafar had one interception and Justin Chaahoub had two. Patel broke up three passes. On Friday, Monta Vista (2-2, 1-0) will host Jefferson. Gunn (2-2, 0-1), which led 10-8 at the half, hosts South San Francisco on Friday. Glenn Reeves’

Oak Grove 22, Independence 7

To lead the Eagles past Independence, quarterback Ryan Wright ran for a touchdown and passed for another. The victory was the visitors’ second in a row after they started the season with three straight defeats. Oak Grove’s Jaylen Allen scored on the ground, and Akino McGee caught the touchdown pass. Before Independence (2-3) scored, the Eagles were up 22-0. Following Oak Grove’s third touchdown, second-year coach Joel Cordero decided to go for the 2-point conversion, enlisting the help of Shaan Lathan, a 6-foot-4, 365-pound senior offensive lineman. – Michael Lefkow

Pioneer 10, Leland 7

Pioneer defeated Alamden Valley in the “Battle of the Den” game, with Jesse Herrera scoring in the second quarter and Jovanni Barajas kicking a 32-yard field goal to break a tie in the fourth. Leland’s points came from a 7-yard touchdown run by Diego Vasquez in the fourth quarter. Herrera finished with 55 yards on the ground. Pioneer received nine tackles from Thomas Fries, seven tackles and a sack from Marcus Perez, and five tackles and three pass defenses from Darius Gutierrez-Bell in their home game. The Mustangs improved to 2-2 after losing their previous two games. On Friday, they will travel to Overfelt. Leland, which has lost four straight games since beating Half Moon Bay in its season opener, travels to Santa Teresa on Thursday to begin BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division play. Darren Sabedra’s

Prospect 56, Yerba Buena 6

Tommy Lewit led Prospect in a BVAL West Valley Division opener, throwing touchdown passes to Jack Austin and Ash Bergener and running for another. Jordan Sharpe, Caleb Coito, and Shak Edelstein each had two rushing touchdowns. George Bulychev made 8 of 8 PATs, and Ahmad Almaini had the most tackles. On Thursday, Prospect (3-1, 1-0) will host Andrew Hill. On Friday, Yerba Buena will be at James Lick. Glenn Reeves’

San Jose 14, Evergreen Valley 13

Evergreen Valley scored on a short pass from Ryan Tran to Dylan Ly in the final minute to pull within 14-13 of San Jose. The Cougars went for two and the win, but a run up the middle was cut short, and San Jose (1-3, 1-0) won the Blossom Valley Athletic League West Valley Division opener. Kenneth Brown scored on a run to put EV ahead early. San Jose responded with touchdowns on long runs by Bryan Santos and a pass from Cooper Gardner to Leo Cortinas. The Bulldogs’ defensive standouts were linebackers Santos and Michael Aliki, as well as lineman Brandon Pacheco, who will face Del Mar on Friday. On Friday, Evergreen Valley (0-4, 0-1) travels to Gunderson. Glenn Reeves’

Santa Teresa 23, Piedmont Hills 13

Santa Teresa (2-3) won the non-league portion of its schedule after Brenton Gaches threw two touchdown passes to Kayin Lawson and Nay Balladares scored a rushing touchdown. Sebastian Romo’s interception late in the game set up the game-winning touchdown. Joseph Tapia, the free safety, had ten tackles. The Saints open Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division play Thursday against Leland at home. On Friday, Piedmont Hills (1-3) travels to Mt. Pleasant. Glenn Reeves’

South San Francisco 48, Lynbrook 0

South San Francisco routed Lynbrook in a PAL Lake opener that was called off in the third quarter, thanks to two touchdowns from Elijah Fields and Ryder DeGuzman-DeAsis. DeGuzman-DeAsis scored on a pick-six. Payton Jackson scored after receiving a pass from sophomore quarterback Anthony Howell. Darren Miller and Gerald Tanielu both scored on the ground. Defensively, Fields, Marcus Mercurio, and Anthony Jara, who had a sack from his defensive back position, stood out. “Our defense was flying all over the place,” said SSF head coach Kolone Pua. “Our D-line was in their backfield all night,” said South City (3-1, 1-0). Lynbrook (0-4, 0-1) travels to Cupertino on Friday. Glenn Reeves’

Willow Glen 42, Overfelt 38

With head coach Oscar Caballero suspended while the school district investigates a sideline incident at last week’s game, Willow Glen was led to a thrilling victory by assistant coaches Aaron Lewis and BK Robertson. Riley Warren won the game with a 25-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining. Cedeno Chavez, the offense’s quarterback, led the way, completing 17 of 20 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 60 yards and two more touchdowns. Spencer Bartlinski had 114 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Amann had 74 yards and two touchdowns. Wyatt Walker and Sam O’Kane each had sacks, and Taggart Severson recovered a fumble while AJ Trevarthen led the defense. On Thursday, Willow Glen (3-1) will host Independence. On Friday, Overfelt (2-3) will host Pioneer. — Dycus, Joseph