Big Little Game: Pittsburg routs Antioch, completes 10-0 regular season, sets sights on bigger goals
‘You guys are going down in history,’ Pittsburg coach says after his team finishes the regular season undefeated.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Many high school football teams have achieved this number over the years, to the point where it may appear mundane.
But it isn’t.
Going 10-0 in the regular season is a big deal, and Pittsburg did it for the first time in the program’s illustrious history Saturday, clinching the outright Bay Valley Athletic League championship.
Ramirez said after his team defeated visiting Antioch 55-6 in the 105th Big Little Game, “The Pirates have had 9-0 regular seasons.” However, Pittsburg has never had a regular season record of 10-0.
Until now, that is.
“Ten and O, man,” Ramirez said to his players on the field after the game. “We’ve discussed the long history of Pittsburg and Pittsburg football.” “You guys will go down in history.”
Later, in an interview with the Bay Area News Group, Ramirez explained, “It was our mission as a staff at the start of the season.” We knew we had the talent and ability to go undefeated, and we did it, man. It means a lot to me. Our first goal was just completed, so that’s good.
“It’s a testament to everything we’ve been building over the last 10 years.”
Now, the Pirates are focusing on unfinished business. Last season, they were defeated in the state championship game, and the season before that, they were defeated in a regional.
They were defeated in another state championship game six years ago.
Ramirez, the defensive coordinator at the time, reminded his players that the stakes are high as they advance to the North Coast Section Open/Division I playoffs.
“Now it’s time to go win the state,” he said. “I told you guys last week, ‘It ain’t for that game and it ain’t for the BVAL.”
Pittsburg simply outplayed its longtime rival from the start, defeating a team that was missing three players due to school suspensions, including big-play quarterback Larenzo Mayfield.
Pittsburg intercepted seven passes, Elijah Bow scored three touchdowns on the ground, and Marley Alcantara passed for two more. The Pirates led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and 41-6 at the half.
In the first quarter, Antioch had minus-53 yards rushing and was swarmed at every turn.
“Obviously, we had some issues at school this week that prevented us from being here with our full team,” Antioch coach Brett Dudley said, whose team dropped to 7-3 and is unlikely to make the playoffs. “But we weren’t going to give up.” We weren’t going to die on the couch. I admire them for fighting their butts.
“Pittsburgh has one of the best teams in all of California.” I wish our entire team could have been present. They are, however, young men. They must learn to make sound life decisions. ‘You’re going to have setbacks in life,’ I preached after the game. ‘How do you react?'”
Antioch’s only touchdown came in the second quarter on an 11-yard pass from Yusef Jenkins to Kha’mahri Jones, making the score 28-6.
Pittsburg responded immediately with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Alcantara to Makari Kenion.
When Bow opened the second half with a 23-yard run across the goal line, the lead had grown to 48-6 and the clock had begun to tick.
“We’ve definitely gotten better as the season has gone on,” Bow told reporters. “I feel like we’ve come a long way.”
Jadyn Hudson had two interceptions and was named MVP of the game, which surprised him.
“I was back there celebrating with my team and they called my name,” Hudson told ESPN.
On a day when Pittsburg honored its next class of Hall of Famers in a pregame ceremony, the modern-day team demonstrated that it is playoff-ready.
When the NCS Open/Division I playoff brackets are released on Sunday, the Pirates are expected to receive the second or third seed. The top seed is expected to be De La Salle, followed by Pittsburg or San Ramon Valley.
Ramirez stated that his team is deserving of the No. 1 seed, citing their record.
“Ultimately, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “But, at the end of the day,” he says, “we’re the first 10-0 team (at Pittsburg), the only 10-0 team in Division I.” I am aware that De La Salle is a powerhouse with a solid reputation. But we do as well. We are a reputable Division I championship program. We deserve one, and if we get two, that’s fine too. Our ultimate goal is to win the state.”
What if Pittsburg wins all three?
“If we get the three, nothing changes,” Ramirez continued. “Same mission, same goal.”
