SANTA CLARA, CA - Defensive back AJ Forchette returned an interception 30 yards for the decisive score as visiting Bellarmine defeated Wilcox, 31-19, Friday night in the first round of the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs. The sixth-seeded Bells (8-3) advance to the semifinals, where they will meet West Catholic Athletic League rival Serra. The third-seeded Chargers finished the season 9-2.
Wilcox forced a Bellarmine punt and took over on its own 18 yard-line with 1:43 left in the game and no timeouts. However, the Chargers' last-gasp drive didn't last long as on the first play, the Bells pressured quarterback Kenny Dipko, who stepped up from the pressure and overthrew his intended receiver over the middle. The ball landed in the waiting arms of Forchette, who made the pick and scooted down the right side for the clinching score.
Trailing 17-7 at the half, Wilcox controlled the third quarter and cut the lead to 17-13 with 8:33 left in the third quarter on a 15-yard connection from Dipko to wide receiver Cory Barraclough. The Chargers had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter but fumbled deep in Bellarmine territory.
On the ensuing drive, Bellarmine running back Amani Bryan went 63 yards for a touchdown off a nifty inside handoff to extend the lead to 24-13 with 5:58 left in the game.
Despite the attention paid to him by the Bells' defense, senior running back Delshawn Mitchell still managed to rush for 106 yards and pulled the Chargers within 24-19 on a 1-yard dive on fourth-and-goal. The touchdown was set up by a tremendous catch by Mitchell down the left sideline and a subsequent 18-yard run by the speedster down to the Bellarmine 7-yard line. Wilcox failed on the 2-point conversion.
The Bells got off to a fast start, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with K.J. Carta-Samuels accounting for both touchdowns. The senior quarterback hit Kyle MacAuley for a 28-yard touchdown on Bellarmine's first drive and then capped off the Bells' next drive with a 6-yard run to make it 14-0.
With the Bells keying on Mitchell, Wilcox turned to the power running of senior Sione Finefeuiaki, who had a big day with 95 yards on 17 carries. Finefeuiaki brought the Chargers to within 14-7 with a bruising 6-yard run to make it 14-7 with 7:06 left in the second quarter.
Grant Bush added a 27-yard field late in the second quarter to extend the lead to 17-7. Wilcox had a chance to get within a touchdown, but missed a field goal just before halftime.
