Garrett runs for 2 TDs, returns pick for TD in win
MOUNTAIN VIEW >> If you’re going to beat De La Salle, it helps to get breaks. St. Francis got a big one two plays into the game Friday night, recovering a fumble 19 yards from the goal line.
But the Lancers went in reverse against DLS’s touted defense, did not score and soon Shamar Garrett let his quickness take charge.
The junior scored on a 65-yard run to give DLS the lead and then broke St. Francis’ heart late in the first half with an 84-yard interception return for a TD.
De La Salle, up 19 at the break, went on to a 33-15 victory on the road in Mountain View to run its record to 4-0.
Garrett finished with 148 yards and two touchdowns in 28 carries.
“He did great,” DLS coach Justin Alumbaugh said. “He’s been practicing great. He’s been working hard. He’s a totally new kid from last year, both as a football player and a kid, too. He’s awesome.”
De La Salle, the Bay Area News Group’s top-ranked team, was far from perfect. The Spartans lost three fumbles and threw an interception, but fourth-ranked St. Francis (2-1) managed just one score from the takeaways.
The opportunity that might have sent a charge through the large home crowd came when James Dinneen recovered a loose ball at the De La Salle 19 in the opening minute.
But two runs pushed the ball back to the 22, and two incomplete passes turned over the ball on downs.
“That’s our mistake,” St. Francis coach Greg Calcagno said. “We have to take advantage of those turnovers. “
Moments after St. Francis failed to cash in the early gift, Garrett bolted 65 yards along the right sideline on an option to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead.
Henry To’oto’o’s 1-yard plunge widened the advantage to 13-0 in the second quarter. As usual, To’oto’o was a two-way force, dominating from his linebacker position.
“Henry is probably the best guy I have ever coached against,” Calcagno said. “He’s unbelievable.”
Evan Williams’ interception gave St. Francis a chance to dip into the deficit just before halftime. But on fourth down from the DLS 41 and 1:06 on the clock, Garrett made the game’s biggest play, picking off a pass at the 16 and then weaving through a sea of players for an electrifying touchdown.
“I knew they had to score,” Garrett said. “I just made a play.”
Rather than possibly a onescore edge at halftime, DLS led 19-0.
“That was a lot of wind out of their sails,” Alumbaugh said. “They’re trying to drive down, trying to make a fourth-down conversion. We get that pick and watch Shamar go. That was a huge tipping point for us. It gave us a lot of breathing room.”