Welcome back to the Bay Area News Group’s high school football roundup.
Here, you’ll find all the details from the weekend’s action in this news organization’s coverage area, which encompasses teams that play in leagues based primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Check back every Saturday during the season for scores, highlights and top performers, updated throughout the day.
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On to the roundup …
CCS Open Division
No. 1 Archbishop Riordan 33, No. 2 Serra 13
Riordan’s long climb to the top of the Central Coast Section ended triumphantly on Friday night at San Jose City College as the Crusaders handled Serra with much less drama than when the last met two weeks ago. Christian Babcock was in San Jose and has the details here.
NCS Open Division
No. 1 De La Salle 24, No. 2 Pittsburg 17
Despite a strong effort from Pittsburg, De La Salle captured its 33rd consecutive NCS title thanks to timely defensive stops. The Pirates controlled time of possession, had more first downs and converted on eight fourth downs, but De La Salle’s defense bent and didn’t break as the Spartans held the high-flying Pittsburg offense from piling up a lot of points. North Carolina commit Jaden Jefferson played nearly every snap and rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown. Nathan Canilao was in Pleasant Hill and has the game story here.
CCS Division II
No. 1 St. Ignatius 42, No. 4 Menlo School 6
Caedon Afsharipour passed for five touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (6-6) into the championship game against Saturday’s Santa Teresa-Sacred Heart Cathedral winner. Zui Shelton caught two touchdown passes and Jack Farrell caught another and intercepted a pass. The Wildcat defense forced three turnovers, including two interceptions. Trevor van der Pyl scored for Menlo (9-3) on a late 8-yard TD pass from Jack Freehill. This marks the second consecutive CCS title game and third in four years for St. Ignatius, and the first under coach JaJuan Lawson. — David Kiefer
NCS Division II
No. 2 Monte Vista 35, No. 3 California 21
Senior quarterback Ian Ondricek had two touchdowns, senior Torin Dunphy added two more and junior Justin Grisham rushed for another as Monte Vista defeated East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division rival California at home to advance to the Division II final against Clayton Valley. The Danville school built a 21-7 lead after the first quarter and didn’t relinquish the lead. California cut Monte Vista’s lead to seven to start the fourth quarter, but an interception helped the Mustangs rebuild their lead and close out the game strong. Monte Vista will be looking to capture its first NCS crown since 2016 next week. California ended its season 8-4. – Nathan Canilao
CCS Division III
No. 8 San Mateo 40, No. 4 Live Oak 36
San Mateo (9-3) rushed for 436 yards in its second road playoff win in as many weeks. The Bearcats will have an opportunity to win their first CCS championship since 2003 when they play Menlo-Atherton on Saturday at MacDonald High in a 7 p.m. start. Against Live Oak, Lukas Fitzgerald carried 20 times for 112 yards and one touchdown. He completed a 68-yard touchdown pass to Tyce Copus, who also gained 83 yards on four carries with one TD. Sophomore TJ Johnson had three carries for 103 yards and a 62-yard touchdown. Cameron Barry, a slotback along with Copus and Johnson in San Mateo’s triple option offense, had a 70-yard scoring run. Fullback Yianni Fitzgerald also scored on the ground. Live Oak’s Josiah Delgado rushed for 175 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. Adrian Leal threw touchdown passes to Anthony Rocha and Praise God Ofobuike and ran for another. The Acorns finished 9-3. — Glenn Reeves
NCS Division III
No. 3 El Cerrito 26, No. 2 Rancho Cotate 9
El Cerrito continued what has been a very strong bounce-back season by traveling to Rohnert Park and handling Rancho Cotate. One year after forfeiting numerous games for playing ineligible players, the Gauchos (10-2) will play for the D-III championship. El Cerrito scored two rushing TDs and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. – Christian Babcock
CCS Division IV
No. 1 Branham 56, No. 5 Half Moon Bay 45
Michael Murphy scored three touchdowns – on runs of 34, 39, and 76 yards – to lead the top-seeded Bruins (7-5) at home. Branham advances to a Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division rematch for the CCS Division IV title next Saturday at 7 p.m. at San Jose City College. Andrew Ho passed for four touchdowns and had more than 250 yards in total offense for a Branham team that advances to a CCS title game for the third time in program history while searching for its first championship. Half Moon Bay (8-4) took a 15-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Paxton Holden to Levi Meighen and on a 1-yard run by Joedoln Flores. — David Kiefer
NCS Division IV
No. 1 Hayward 41, No. 4 Granada 18
Maurice Hall and Lamont McDonald ran wild as Hayward routed Granada at home to reach the D-IV title game. Hall had 12 carries for 109 yards and two TDs, while McDonald had 11 for 190 and a score for the Farmers (9-3). McDonald added three catches for 39 yards and a pair of scores through the air, plus an interception on defense. Isiah Spearman caught four balls for 46 yards, and Tywan Melrose caught a 2-yard TD. QB Jaydyn Irving went 11 of 15 for 110 yards and three scores. Hayward held Granada (6-6) to 215 total yards. Jack Badger and Damien Miles had TD receptions for the Matadors, and Skyler Stuart ran in a score. – Christian Babcock
No. 3 Miramonte 20, No. 7 Redwood 0
Miramonte will have a chance to win its 11th section championship next week after its defense picked a great time for its first shutout of the season. Tres Buster had nine tackles at middle linebacker, Andrew Bjornson recorded a sack and Henry Hunt’s interception sealed the victory as the trio helped shut down an opponent that scored 27 points last week against Benicia. “We pulled out a gritty win,” Miramonte coach Nick Safir said. “Big win for our program.” Junior varsity call-up Lane Dalton, making his third start in place of injured quarterback Carson Blair, passed for 204 yards and ran for a short touchdown. He set up the score with a 60-yard completion to Luca Tarantino. David Roman scored on a 7-yard run and James Rogers kicked field goals from 35 and 41 yards out to account for the scoring. Miramonte (7-5) advances to the final against top-seeded Hayward as the Matadors will try to avenge last season’s lost to Arcata in the NCS Division VI final. – Darren Sabedra
NCS Division VI
No. 3 Bishop O’Dowd 49, No. 2 St. Helena 26
The Dragons got scoring from several players, including some on defense, to run away for a semifinal victory. OC Lehner snagged a pick-six and also forced a fumble. Lamar Ellis ran in four TDs. Christian Cermenelli Johnson passed and rushed for one TD apiece. Jess Brown caught the TD pass. Victor Martinez grabbed an interception. O’Dowd (8-4) will face Fortuna or St. Bernard’s for the D-VI title next week. – Christian Babcock
Division VII
No. 2 Piedmont 28, No. 3 Willits 10
Less than five years after its football program was nearly cut, Piedmont has a chance to win an NCS championship. “We’re making history!!” coach Jordan Seiden wrote in a text. “From a program that was almost dropped 4 years ago to where we are now!! No one would’ve thunk it!!!” Xavier Henderson ran for four touchdowns on Friday night and the defense made numerous big stops as Piedmont (8-4), playing at home, turned back Willits to advance to play top seed Middletown next week for the championship. – Darren Sabedra
No. 1 Middletown 48, No. 5 Concord 8
The top-seeded Mustangs (10-2) advanced to Friday’s title game at Justin-Siena against No. 2 Piedmont. Concord (7-5), playing on the road, concluded its season at 7-5. — David Kiefer