LAFAYETTE – Miramonte, which all season relied on a tough running game and relentless defense to grind out victories, opened up the playbook in the Matadors’ 42-20 NCS Division V championship victory over visiting St. Bernard’s.
Sophomore Carson Blair aired it out against the visitors from Eureka, throwing for four touchdowns, two to sophomore Andrew Bjornson and another pair to Jack Quinnild, who caught his ninth and 10th touchdowns of the season to help give Miramonte its first section title since 2013.
“It’s awesome, just awesome,” Miramonte coach Jack Schram said. “The guys did an unbelievable job.”
Playing at nearby Acalanes High School, the Matadors were able to keep St. Bernard’s star Wyatt Simoni mostly in check, quite a feat considering the fact that Simoni had run for 30 touchdowns entering Saturday night’s game.
Schram said his defense, which featured relentless tacklers such as Luke Milmoe and Andrew Davenport, played an outstanding game. However, he also drew attention to a less-noticeable factor that made life difficult for St. Bernard’s running game.
“They were playing up there in the mud,” Schram said. “Us having the No. 1 seed was key, because we played them on a legitimate, even field.”
Myles Bastani threw a touchdown to Mitch Reichenbach, and Charlie Hwang ran for one score in a game that Schram said was never in doubt.
Miramonte jumped out to a 21-0 lead, and while the visitors cut the deficit to 21-12 in the second quarter, the Matadors scored the next three touchdowns to put the game away.
Miramonte defeated San Rafael and Alhambra to reach its second consecutive Division V title game. Last year, the Matadors lost 42-28 to San Marin in the final.
Schram, surrounded by jubilant players on the bus back to Orinda, said he was thrilled to add another section title to the school’s trophy case.
But he expects Miramonte (9-3) to go even further than just a NorCal regional, regardless of who his team is assigned on Sunday.
“We’ve got two more games in our sights,” Schram said. “We’ll find out who we play tomorrow, but we’re not done.”
Division VI
St. Vincent de Paul 48, Salesian 12
St. Vincent de Paul-Petaluma led 48-0 before Salesian finally got on the scoreboard with a Luis DeJesus touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs led 21-0 at the half and erupted for four third-period TDs in the NCS D-VI championship game played at Rancho Cotate High. Salesian finishes the season at 10-3. St. Vincent de Paul will head to next weekend’s CIF NorCal regionals at 11-2. – Mike Lefkow