Sacred Heart Cathedral brings home first crown

SAN FRANCISCO >> A boisterous crowd roared under the historic Kezar Stadium lights on Saturday night. Their Fightin’ Irish had just made history.

With a 48-29 victory over Northview in the CIF State 4-A championship game, Sacred Heart Cathedral claimed its first football state title in school history.

“I’m just enjoying the scene,” said coach Barry McLaughlin, drenched in the celebratory ice water his team dumped on him after the win. “Great for the city, great for Sacred Heart Cathedral. I’m going to enjoy it right now. It’ll hit me at some point.”

At points this season, the new state champions weren’t enjoying the moment. They started the season 0-5. The Irish felt the winds change in wins against Bellarmine and against bitter rival St. Ignatius.

Sacred Heart had 98 yards worth of penalties in the first half, including a personal foul by the SH bench called on McClaughlin for interfering with the officials. A call that brought back wide receiver Bruce Uperesa’s backbreaking 72-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter could have opened the flood gates early.

“They made a mistake in the ruling,” McClaughlin said. “I almost got kicked out in the first half and I didn’t do anything, but — at one point (this season) we had 10 touchdowns called back, so we’re used to having big plays called back. We just keep rolling with it.”

The Fightin’ Irish navigated the flying yellow flags just fine, though. Quarterback Ray-John Spears was full of big throws Saturday, including back-toback touchdown passes to RJ Miller., one a 46-yard touchdown reception, the other 35 yards to give Sacred Heart a 20-6 lead.

“That’s what put us over the hump, is their ability to make a play at all times,” McClaughlin said. “No matter the down or distance, lot of stress on their defense.”