It was set up as a battle for the PAL-De Anza title with a pair of unbeaten teams taking the field in Half Moon Bay last Thursday night. But in a season in which the De Anza Division has been uniquely strong and performing like an “A” league, Half Moon Bay played more like an A+.
The Cougars improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the PAL-De Anza with a 49-10 win over San Mateo. Junior QB Paxton Holden completed 6-of-8 passes for 121 yards and two scores, and Preston Wyatt caught two passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns for Half Moon Bay, which built a 35-3 halftime lead and cruised to the title-clinching win. The Cougars still have one more league game remaining this Friday night at Palo Alto, but the Vikings have already lost two league games, and San Mateo is the only remaining one-loss team.
Holden also ran for 101 yards and a score on eight carries, and junior Joedoln Flores contributed 64 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Bearcats (6-2, 2-1), who were unable to mount any sort of passing attack, did manage 205 yards rushing spread nearly equally among seven rushers. San Mateo, which was coming off of wins over Mountain View and Palo Alto to begin league play, visits Woodside Friday night.
Woodside fell short at home against Burlingame, losing 28-21 to set up a three-way tie for third place in the De Anza. Senior Mark O’Grady led the Panthers with 160 yards passing and two touchdowns each through the air and on the ground. It was the first league win for the Panthers (6-2), who host Mountain View Friday.
Mountain View picked up its first league win with a 51-46 win over Palo Alto. The Spartans scored the final touchdown with just 23 seconds left to pull out the victory.
In the top flight, Menlo-Atherton joined Los Gatos atop the PAL-Bay lead with a 41-33 win over Wilcox. It was the third straight win for the Bears (3-5, 3-0), who will host Los Gatos Saturday afternoon with the league title on the line. Los Gatos beat Menlo 49-14 as senior Devonte Troutt ran for 234 yards and six touchdowns on 18 carries. He also caught two passes for 94 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown pass from senior Jack Siri.
In the other Week 9 matchup, The King’s Academy knocked off Sacred Heart Prep 27-14 for its first league win. TKA takes on Menlo Saturday.
Milpitas moved a step closer to the PAL-Ocean title with a 48-34 win over Carlmont. Senior RB Nizhir Bess ran for 292 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Trojans, who hold a one-game lead over Carlmont and Sequoia with just two games to play. Milpitas owns the tiebreaker over both and finish the league season with games against a pair of 1-2 teams in Hillsdale and Capuchino.
Carlmont, which was led by the combination of senior QB Brody Zirelli (12-of-25, 279 yards, 3 TDs) and senior WR Austin Sotto (5 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs), looks to bounce back this week against Aragon. The Dons fell to 0-3 in the PAL-Ocean with a 30-27 loss to Sequoia despite 110 yards rushing and 2 TDs from junior Jaxson Sullivan. Senior QB Luke Ostander completed 13-of-22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens, who visit Capuchino Friday night.
In the PAL-El Camino, Jefferson improved to 3-0 with a 21-14 win over South San Francisco. With Terra Nova losing to Santa Clara, 45-36, the Grizzlies took over first place in the division heading into this week’s showdown against the Tigers in Pacifica. In the win over South City, senior RB Esene Head led the way for Jefferson with 122 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Santa Clara (5-3, 2-1) moved into title contention behind a big night from sophomore QB Elijah Palomino-Hendrix, who completed 20-of-27 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns – two each to senior Kalani Tesimale and junior Boubacar Diallo. Senior RB Magglio Sanchez ran for 245 yards and a touchdown as the Bruins racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense.
In the other PAL-El Camino matchup, Fremont picked up its first league win, edging Los Altos, 23-21. The Firebirds visit Santa Clara Halloween afternoon, and Los Altos hosts South San Francisco Friday night.
Finally, in the PAL-Lake, Homestead moved to 5-0 with a 24-7 win over Gunn. Senior Ben Acton ran for 157 yards and a touchdown as the Mustangs spotted the Titans an early lead before rallying. Homestead visits Saratoga with the division title on the line. Saratoga improved to 7-1 overall (3-1 PAL-Lake) with a 42-14 win over Mills. Senior QB Anson Hulme completed 11-of-17 passes for 195 yards and three scores and also rushed for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Falcons.
In the other Week 9 matchup, El Camino blasted Cupertino 40-0, scoring all of its points in the first half. The Colts host Evergreen Valley in a non-league matchup Friday. Cupertino looks for its first league win Thursday night at Gunn.
