Big plays, defense propel Valley Christian to big win
It was only one game and one win. But given the smiles and celebrating on the winner’s side, it clearly was so much more.
In a West Catholic Athletic League showdown between two of the three teams that shared the crown last season, Valley Christian held off St. Francis 2821 Friday night, as running backs Charlie Bostic and D’Angelo McKenzie combined for three touchdowns and RJ Stone and Co. dominated on defense.
“We’ve always valued our pass rush and our ability to get to the quarterback,” Stone said. “That was just a key part of this game. I believe we did that really well, and we got the job done at the end.”
Valley Christian, which watched a 10-point second-half lead dissolve in an overtime loss at St. Francis last season, looked as if it were teetering on losing another advantage Friday.
St. Francis (2-2, 0-1) scored on fourth down from the 1, and a penalty on the ensuing kickoff pushed Valley Christian (3-1, 1-0) back to its 10 with six minutes to go. But McKenzie, a standout free safety on defense with offers from several colleges, including Notre Dame and UCLA, finally got his wish.
His number was called on offense.
“I was on the sideline, and I was a little angry,” he said. “I kept telling Coach, ‘Put me in. Put me in. I’m a playmaker, Coach. Put me in.’ First play he put me in, I had to score.”
McKenzie sprinted around the left side and shifted into high gear, keeping his balance after briefly stumbling and outrunning the defense for a 90-yard touchdown that made it 28-14.
Reed Vettel’s 35-yard scoring pass to Evan J. Williams pulled St. Francis to within 28-21 with 1:42 left.
But Valley Christian — ranked No. 3 in the Bay Area News Group Top 20, one spot behind St. Francis — recovered the ensuing onside kick, leaving St. Francis with just 30 seconds and 73 yards to reach the end zone once it regained possession.
There would be no miracle finish. The game ended with Stone sacking Vettel.