San Marin High's varsity football team beat St. Helena in the NCS Semifinals on Saturday night to claim a spot in the NCS Championship Game starting at 7 p.m. Friday night at Justin Siena High in Napa.
Varsity Football
When the NCS brackets came out, San Marin’s football team felt like it was a seeded a little low as it drew a 10 seed. Perhaps they were right, as they have now eliminated the 6, 7 and 15 seeds (who beat the 2 seed) and now have a date against top seeded Justin Siena in the NCS Division 4 Championship Game Friday night at Justin Siena.
Last Saturday in the semifinals, the Mustangs offense once again proved too much for their opponents. It didn’t start out that way though, as St. Helena went 80 yards on their first drive and scored to put the Saints up 6-0. The Mustang offense sputtered throughout the first quarter but the defense tightened up as both teams exchanged drives resulting in punts. At the end of the quarter, San Marin trailed 6-0.
San Marin put up 20 points in the second quarter. The first TD went to RB Deandre Wright, who scored twice on the night, from 1 yard out after a solid 70 yard drive. St. Helena answered with a TD of their own, but San Marin rallied to score twice in the final 4 minutes of the half. Manny Wilkins, who aided by a huge block by WR David Marinoff, went in from 35 yards out on the first. San Marin got the ball back with just over a minute to go and hit on a big 66 yard completion to Marinoff with to setup the go ahead score before the half. Two plays later, Marinoff put the Mustangs up 20-13 with a 1 yard plunge.
San Marin answered first in the 2nd half as Wilkins found Svahlin who made an amazing catch to setup the next score. After a couple penalties, Wilkins found Svahlin again for a 30 yard score to put the Mustangs up two scores. St. Helena answered yet again as their running back scored from 5 yards out before the end of the quarter and after three it was 26-20.
The final quarter saw dramatic swings back and forth. St. Helena held San Marin on their next drive and with a chance to take the lead possibly with a score, their kick returner fumbled Wilkins huge punt giving San Marin great field position and ending in another Wright TD run. St. Helena scored once again to make it 32-26, but they would never get the ball back. San Marin held the ball for the final 6 minutes and took a knee on the final play advancing them on to the NCS Championship Game. On the night Wilkins threw for 225 yards with Svahlin taking in 159 of them. Chris Gorman led defense with 2 sacks and numerous pressures.
The game Friday night is a rematch of an early season meeting between the two teams. A banged up and depleted Mustangs missing several players struggled to muster much against the Braves that night losing 42-15. However with a full and healthy roster this time, it should be a fantastic game! Friday, 7:00 @ Justin Siena
BASKETBALL – GIRLS & BOYS
Varsity Boys – The boys opened play in the Foundation Game on Tuesday night down at Marin Academy with a 53-25 win. While stuggling to a slow start in the first half, the offense came alive behind freshman SG Calvin Geraci who scored 16 in the quarter of his 21 on the night. Noah Everly chipped in 13 points, while Jason Reyff led the Mustangs with 8 rebounds.
JV Boys- The JV boys took it to Marin Academy in collecting a 57-29 win. Taylor Myers led the scoring for SM with 14, while Yazen Hamami led in rebounds with 5.
Varsity Girls- The girls opened their season against Ukiah on Saturday night. They collected a solid 52-43 win. Freshman guard Kaleah Williams led the scoring with 17 in her debut. Maya Stevens and Paige McIntosh chipped in a combined 19 points and 14 rebounds.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Tuesday, November 27
4:30 PM
Frosh Boys Basketball
@ Casa Grande
6:00 PM
JV Boys Basketball
@ Casa Grande
7:30 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball
@ Casa Grande
Thursday, November 29
7:00 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball
Lincoln (SF) @ SM
TBA
Varsity Girls Basketball
Sonoma Tourney
TBA
Frosh Girls Basketball
Rancho Cotati Tourney
Friday, November 30
7:00 PM
NCS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
SM @ Justin Siena
TBA
Varsity Girls Basketball
Sonoma Tourney
TBA
Frosh Girls Basketball
Rancho Cotati Tourney
Saturday, December 1
5:30 PM
JV Boys Basketball
Sonoma @ SM
7:00 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball
Piedmont Hills @ SM
TBA
Varsity Girls Basketball
Sonoma Tourney
TBA
Frosh Girls Basketball
Rancho Cotati Tourney
