How Pittsburg beat San Ramon Valley for third consecutive NCS D-I crown
Marley Alcantara’s 99-yard TD pass to Bobby Shaw III on third-and-14 ignites Pittsburg to NCS championship
DUBLIN, IRELAND – On Friday night, the score was tied early in the second half when Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara dropped back to pass on third down from his own 1, needing 14 yards to advance the ball.
The junior looked downfield, saw Bobby Shaw III running, and let the ball fly, perhaps a little deeper than he wanted but not out of reach of the receiver.
Shaw made the catch and continued sprinting.
Pittsburg won its third consecutive North Coast Section Division I championship with a 37-21 victory over San Ramon Valley at Dublin High.
“When I see No. 11 running down the field, I know he is getting the ball,” said Alcantara, who passed for 320 yards. “That’s something we do. We practice backing up and all that.”
When the game was over, there were hugs, smiles, and 13-0 chants as Pittsburg continued its unbeaten streak under first-year head coach Charlie Ramirez, who was promoted from defensive coordinator after longtime coach Victor Galli stepped down after last season.
The Pirates defeated Los Gatos and Monterey Trail early in the season, cruised through the Bay Valley Athletic League, and now defeated San Ramon Valley, which gave De La Salle everything it could handle twice, including last week in the NCS Open Division championship game.
“This team worked so hard,” Ramirez said after receiving a Gatorade shower in the final minute. “These players deserve all of the credit. The coaches deserve all of the credit. They have put in a lot of time and effort. It’s a great season, a great season, from Zion Blanche to Juju Walls to every single player in between.”
It’s not over yet.
Next week, Pittsburg will compete in a NorCal regional. The pairings will be revealed on Sunday. Folsom, Clovis North, and even De La Salle are possible opponents for the Pirates.
Is Pittsburg interested in De La Salle, the NCS’s top team after defeating SRV last week?
“At this point, I’d rather have the home game,” Ramirez explained. “We’re 13-0, and no one has ever beaten us.” “I believe we are deserving of a home game.”
Pittsburg couldn’t think about next week until it had defeated San Ramon Valley, which was no easy task.
With 33 seconds left in the third quarter, Shaw’s 99-yard touchdown reception made it 21-14, and Jesus Lua Amaya’s 27-yard field goal made it 24-14.
With 6:13 remaining, San Ramon Valley middle linebacker Marco Jones intercepted a pass and raced into the end zone for a 39-yard pick-six, bringing the Wolves to within 24-21.
“We played our hearts out,” said Jones. “Obviously, not the outcome we desired. But things happen. We must return stronger the following year.”
Following Jones’ interception, the Wolves (10-3) appeared to be on the verge of forcing a quick three-and-out. On third-and-five from the 25, Alcantara hit running back Jamar Searcy down the right sideline.
Although the pass was incomplete, SRV was called for pass interference.
What size was that flag?
“Uh… oh, it was big,” Searcy admitted. “It was huge. We definitely needed that.”
Five plays later, Searcy broke free from a pack of defenders and dashed into the end zone, extending the lead to 30-21 with 2:24 remaining.
In 20 carries, the junior gained 137 yards and three touchdowns, accounting for all of Pittsburg’s first-half scoring.
Searcy capped his outstanding performance with an interception that set up Pittsburg’s final touchdown, a 7-yard run by Elijah Bow with 1:51 remaining.
San Ramon Valley nearly responded to Pittsburg’s 99-yard touchdown drive, driving to the 8. However, the Wolves fumbled on first-and-goal, and Pittsburg scored on a field goal to make the score 24-14.
Luke Baker passed for 245 yards and two first-half touchdowns, one to Makai Vierra and the other to Evan Economos, in his final game for SRV.
“That game, a fumble on the five-yard line, third-and-(14) on their own 1-yard line and get a 99-yard touchdown, that’s what happens in championship games,” said Baker. “You can point to a couple of plays and say that if those plays had gone the other way, we would have probably won.” We had a fantastic team. Everyone should be proud of themselves.”
