Marin Catholic gets to savor win over Central Catholic
Redemption during a pandemic is a little different, but Marin CatholicKentfield football coach Mazi Moayed was pleased nonetheless.
His Wildcats put a pretty good hurt on SacJoaquin Section nemesis Central CatholicModesto on Saturday, getting three touchdown passes from junior quarterback Michael Ingrassia and three touchdown runs by UC Davisbound running back Matteo Perez in a 4510 home victory.
Central Catholic, winner of four state smallschool titles, had beaten Marin Catholic just as soundly in two earlier meetings, 4914 and 4216, the former for a Northern California title.
The game occurred only because of last week’s decision by the California Public Health Department to lift youth sports travel restrictions. Previously, games could be played only between teams in the same county or counties that were next to each other.
“Those guys (Central Catholic) are very, very tough, so I told our guys going in you’re probably gonna be limping afterward either way,” Moayed said. “Might as well limp with a smile on your face after a win.”
With the return of top linemen Kai PetersonDavidson (San Jose State signee) and Matthew Dierking, the Wildcats were able to give Ingrassia plenty of time to utilize the team’s No. 1 asset — speed — as big chunk plays led to a 353 halftime lead.
Ingrassia (9for17, 233 yards) completed TD passes of 70 yards to Matt Jacobson ,20 yards to Blake Wilson and 24 yards to Michael Jennings. Perez (12 carries, 78 yards) scored on runs of 1, 13 and 1 yards. The victory upped the Wildcats to No. 5 in The Chronicle rankings, the highest they have been in more than a decade.
Staying the course: With De La SalleConcord’s Saturday game at CaliforniaSan Ramon in question because of a coronavirus result, there were discussions of the Spartans playing either Marin Catholic or SJS powers Folsom or Rocklin. No changes were needed, however, and De La Salle beat California 4810 to extend its unbeaten streak against Northern California opponents to 315 games.
Cal signee LuMagia Hearns had a 48yard picksix and an 81yard TD reception from Dorian Hale, who also rushed for a 59yard touchdown. Mehki Norfleet rushed eight times for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70yarder, and Nico Torrez rushed six times for 97 yards — 54 coming on his 10th TD of the season. Perfect Piedmont: Brian Cain isn’t on anyone’s FBS recruiting charts, but he’s one heck of a high school player, according to all who have seen him.
The 5foot10, 190pound senior running back and linebacker rushed 24 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns in a 210 win at WashingtonFremont, lifting the Highlanders to 40.
Cain has rushed 99 times for 675 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He also has helped a defense that has recorded two straight shutouts and allowed fewer than 100 yards in each game. Piedmont hasn’t allowed a touchdown since the first quarter of a March 27 game against Mt. EdenHayward, a 427 win.
“Might as well limp with a smile on your face after a win.”
Mazi Moayed,
Marin CatholicKentfield head coach
Games that should be played:
Here are some matchups we’d love to see added as final games of the season: No. 5 Marin Catholic vs. No. 7 Cardinal NewmanSanta Rosa, No. 14 CampolindoMoraga vs. No. 15 VintageNapa, and No. 3 Pittsburg vs. No. 11 Los Gatos.