PITTSBURG,CA --- Two touchdowns between the connection of quarterback Justin Boyd and receiver Donovan Crosse sent Pittsburg to the North Coast Section Open Division championship, as the Pirates defeated San Ramon Valley, 16-7, on Saturday night.
The game clinching drive was led by a pair of powerful carries from sophomore running back Darrion Bartley. It culminated as Boyd hit Crosse for the final touchdown, a 12-yard touchdown trip to the end zone that extended the Pirates' lead from a tenuous two points to a nine-point advantage.
“Tonight, we came together.," Crosse said. “The coaches prepared us and adjusted well during the game.”
While that score may have provided the final margin on the scoreboard, there was still plenty of life left in the game, as it happened in the third quarter with 8:16 left.
SRV’s season was on the line, and quarterback Clark Baker completed several passes for a desperate attempt to cross midfield, but the Pittsburg defensive line put him under pressure. Michael Pryor and Timote Finau combined to sack him on first down, and on the following play, Josiah Porter imitated with a sack of his own. Finally, A’Jae Boyd laid a massive hit on one of Baker’s targets to force a punt.
Pittsburg’s defense made an impact all night as they held San Ramon Valley to minus-three rushing yards.
“Our defense is pretty good, that's not a secret anymore,” Galli said.
Pittsburg is now going to the section championship against a familiar foe, but under the new format established last seaon, is also virtually guaranteed of its first-ever berth in the state playoffs.
“I want De La Salle. Let's handle things one day at a time, and we will talk about other stuff later,” Galli said, in reference to facing his alma mater in the NCS Open Division Championship game.
Pittsburg’s first score happened in an unorthodox manner. Justin Boyd threw an interception that was caught by SRV’s Tristan Sinclair in the end zone, but one of the Wolves' players committed an illegal chop block. Since the infraction happened in the end zone, the result was a safety awarded to the Pirates, which meant they also got the ball right back on the ensuing free kick, having taken a 2-0 lead. Pitt capitalized with the first Boyd-to-Crosse connection for a 9-0 advantage.
SRV’s lone touchdown came in the art of surprise. With their backs pressed up against a fourth down, it seemed like they were going for it but they brought the field goal unit out at very last second. Lurking on the sideline was Matt Gillespie, who received a booming 32 yard pass from placeholder Jackson Foster, successfully executing the fake field goal touchdown pass. It was a play head coach Aaron Becker said was being saved for the right opportunity. But it was not enough to see their season extended to another game.
“It's tough to say if we played poorly or they played really well.” Becker said. “It's a hollow feeling knowing you were matched up in a game this big in the postseason to go home after one game.”
The Open Division finalists have the coming week off, while the other divisions play in the semifinals.
