Bellarmine wins thriller over Los Gatos, reach semifinals
Leigh and Homestead win games to advance in CCS playoffs
LOS GATOS >> Bellarmine’s season was 8 yards from being over Nov. 12. That’s what separated Los Gatos from the end zone in the final minute with the score tied in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.
But defensive back Thomas Di Vittorio turned the emotions for both teams upside down when he intercepted a tipped pass by linebacker Brandon Broch and started running.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Di Vittorio said.
The senior’s 94-yard picksix with 43.6 seconds left lifted Bellarmine to a 34-27 victory over Los Gatos that moves the third-seeded Bells into the semifinals next weekend.
Los Gatos finished 10-1. The sixth-seeded Wildcats, playing on their home field, were on the verge of an epic victory when senior Jake Ripp, a Boise State commit, intercepted a pass near midfield and returned the ball to the Bellarmine 23 with 1:12 left.
Los Gatos reached the 8 as it marched toward the end zone where its student section stood and cheered all night because Bellarmine, as the designated home team, packed the home bleachers.
On second down from the 8, Los Gatos called a pass play for the 6-foot-3 Ripp on the right side, a play that had worked several times during the season, coach Mark Krail said.
“They tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage,” Krail added. “We all saw it. It’s just one of those things. That’s a brutal way to lose a game.
“Of all ways to lose a game, that was probably the toughest I’ve ever had.”
Bellarmine quarterback Wade Smith had similar thoughts about himself when the decisive drive he hoped to lead ended with Ripp’s interception that left the Bells staring at defeat.
“I will definitely say that went from being momentarily like the worst night of my entire life to one of the better nights of my entire life,” Smith said. “I just got to say thank you to Divo and thank you to everyone else on the rest of our team, pushing through all four quarters tonight.”
NO. 2 SERRA 41, NO. 7 VALLEY CHRISTIAN 30 >> One week after an emotional gut-punch against St. Francis, Serra returned to its home field and beat Valley Christian on Nov. 13 in a game that was far from flawless on both sides. Serra turned the ball over five times — three interceptions, two fumbles — and Valley Christian had numerous self-inflicted penalties that stalled its momentum. But the Padres survived.
Division III
NO. 1 LELAND 27, NO. 8 SCOTTS
VALLEY 9 >> The host Chargers led 18-9 at halftime and didn’t look back as they advance to today’s semifinals. Noor Haroon had a TD reception from Nate Wright and also scored on a twopoint conversion on Leland’s first series for an 8-0 lead. Then teammate Mark Eby scored on a 70-yard screen pass from Wright. Scotts
Valley (9-2) cut Leland’s lead to 15-9 before a 26-yard field goal by Cade Whitson with no time left on the clock gave the Chargers a ninepoint advantage entering halftime. Eby reached the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown run in the second half, and Leland’s final two points came via a safety. The Chargers (9-2) will host No. 4 Christopher (6-5) today. It is a rematch of the 2017 Division IV championship game, which Christopher won 24-7. NO. 3 SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL 21, NO. 6 LEIGH 0 >> Sacred Heart Cathedral scored all of its touchdowns in the first half at Kezar Stadium to advance to the semifinals this weekend. Nicholas Feliciano returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown to stretch the lead to two touchdowns and Ray-john Spears capped the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jennifer Uperesa. SHC improved to 4-7. The Irish will play No. 7 Mountain View for a trip to the final. Leigh’s season ended 9-2.
Division IV
NO. 1 HOMESTEAD 14, NO. 8 MILPITAS 0 >> Three weeks after losing a league game at Milpitas by 28 points, Homestead flipped the script on its home field in Cupertino in the opening round of the Division IV playoffs. The Mustangs scored a touchdown in the third quarter to break a 0-0 tie and added another touchdown in the fourth to advance to the semifinals this weekend against Santa Teresa. Derek Sheerer rushed for a touchdown and scored on a picksix from 34 yards out. The senior ran for 63 yards in 11 carries and caught four passes for 20 yards. Homestead (6-5) had 167 yards of offense. Milpitas finished 3-8.
NO. 4 SANTA TERESA 45, NO. 5 PIONEER 42, 3 OT >>
A short field goal by Miguel Herrera lifted Santa Teresa to a thrilling triple-overtime victory at home over Pioneer in the CCS Division IV playoffs.