San Marin humming at halfway point of the season
The San Marin High football team hit the midpoint of the season following a 56-0 road win against San Rafael on Friday night. Although it may be tempting to imagine another section-title run and possibly beyond for the two-time defending state champions, coach Dom DiMare insists he's not looking that far ahead.
“We take it week by week,” DiMare said. “We have to — on to the next. Every week is a new week to get better. I don't look much past that. Obviously there's always games that foreshadow in your mind as a coach but we have Redwood who is a very good football team next week, who's 4-0, and we've got to get ready to play that at home on Friday night so I won't look past that.”
The defense and special teams got the Mustangs (50, 2-0 MCAL) off to an ideal start against San Rafael (32, 0-2). Wesley Garton and Ryan Jensen had sacks on San Rafael's opening drive, forcing the Bulldogs to punt out of their own end zone. Blake Hart returned the ensuing punt 45 yards for a touchdown and the Mustangs were out of the gate quickly before the offense even took the field.
“Blake has always been a good returner his whole life,” San Marin receiver Matt
Goodin said. “It was just nice to start off the game, get some momentum and get our adrenaline pumping.”
Hart's adrenaline kept on pumping as San Marin quarterback Dominic Ingrassia lofted a deep ball in his direction on the Mustangs' first offensive possession. Hart ran underneath the ball about 50 yards downfield and hauled it in for a 57-yard touchdown.
“Perfect throw on the run, running up, right in the bread basket,” Hart said. “I couldn't ask for a better throw.”
Ingrassia was almost perfect on the night, completing 11 of his 12 pass attempts for 247 yards and four touchdowns — including another deep ball on the money to Anthony Scheppler for a 52-yard score.
“His knowledge of the
game, knowledge of coverages, knowledge of our offense,” DiMare said, listing the ways his quarterback has improved during his senior year. “Obviously two years under our same offense, there's definitely a lot more comfort to him. The game is slower for him this year. It helps him with his reads, identifying coverages early, knowing where the ball is going to go.”
Goodin was Ingrassia's favorite target with four catches for 97 yards and a 23yard touchdown to start the second quarter. Hart caught two passes for 64 yards — both for touchdowns.
In addition to his early sack, Garton had a pick six to send San Marin into halftime with a 49-0 lead.
Through five games — against four of the same opponents from last year — this year's Mustangs are one win better than the most recent state title team and have outscored opponents by 181 points as opposed to by 90 last season.
“We have a lot of returning starters so the chemistry we built last season and during the offseason is just crazy,” Goodin said.
Redwood provided the Mustangs with a stern test last season — San Marin won 24-21. Next Friday's game will likely be the Mustangs' toughest since the 2720 season-opening home win against Acalanes.