San Marin High School football scored a big NCS Playoff win over Fortuna Saturday. Now they get to host Drake this Saturday in the quarterfinals. See below for a recap and a preview of Saturday’s game.
Varsity Football
The Mustangs, who received the 10 seed in the NCS Division 4 playoffs, were forced to travel up to Fortuna for a battle with the Huskies on Saturday. On a bitterly cold, 35 degree night up north, San Marin showed up ready to play after their 4 hour and 30 minute bus ride up. The Mustangs opened the scoring first as late in the first quarter, RB Kyle Chernoff broke free from an 80 yard TD run. Fortuna answered in the second quarter with two scores, although a missed PAT made the score just 13-7 going into half.
The third quarter saw the Mustang offense come to life. QB Manny Wilkins found WR Jason Shannon on a 51 yard TD to tie the score at 13. San Marin caught Fortuna offguard on the kickoff and recovered a squib kick. Two plays later, Wilkins again found Shannon for a 15 yard TD. The PAT was no good to make the score 19-13 which stood after three quarters.
Fortuna answered the Mustang scores with a 37 yard completion on a 4th and 15 to tie the game up at 19-19, as both teams kicking games struggled on the cold night to converted their PATs. Both team’s defenses had big stops trading back to back possessions. With just over 4 minutes remaining, San Marin got the ball at the Fortuna 45 yard line. Kaden Svahlin came up with an incredible one-handed catch on a big 4th down play. Wilkins then got loose down the sideline for a 20 yard gain giving the Mustangs the ball at the 2 yard line with just over 30 seconds left. Chris Gorman, normal lineman who becomes their goaline specialist, plunged in for the go ahead score and the Mustangs had secured the upset win over the 7 seeded Huskies.
Wilkins had a huge night both in the air and on the ground. He went 12-21 for 255 yard and 2 TDs, while also running for 90 yards. Shannon caught 6 of those passes for 148 yards and 2 TDs.
Now San Marin takes on Drake this weekend, which upset the 2 seed Valley Christian on Friday. The 15 seeded Pirates upset win makes San Marin the higher seed, and sets up the first home playoff game since 2006. The game is a rematch of a week 4 battle at Drake in which San Marin pulled out a come from behind win 23-21. San Marin scored 2 touchdowns in the last 4:30 to escape with a win. Nobody realized how big the win would be 7 weeks later. If the Mustangs had lost that game, they would not have qualified for the playoffs. Now, they stand 2 wins away from a berth in the NCS Title Game. San Marin closed the season with 3 big wins and is playing their best football at the right time of the year. Drake will certainly be pumped for the rematch to enact some revenge from the week 4 loss. Kickoff is at 1 PM at San Marin this Saturday, November 17.
BASKETBALL – GIRLS & BOYS
Both the girls and boys programs begin play this week with scrimmages scheduled. The girls will play at Vintage on Thursday and Marin Catholic on Saturday. The boys take on Windsor Saturday at San Marin after the football game. Both teams will be in action over the Thanksgiving Week with multiple games on tap.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Wednesday, November 14
4:00 PM
Frosh Girls Basketball Scrimmage
@ Novato HS
Thursday, November 15
3:30 PM
Frosh Girls Basketball Scrimmage
@ Vintage HS
4:30 PM
JV Girls Basketball Scrimmage
@ Vintage HS
5:30 PM
Varsity Girls Basketball Scrimmage
@ Vintage HS
Saturday, November 17
9:00 AM
Varsity Girls Basketball Scrimmage
@ Marin Catholic
1:00 PM
NCS FOOTBALL – QUARTERFINALS
Drake @ SM
4:00 PM
Frosh Boys Basketball Scrimmage
Windsor @ SM
5:30 PM
JV Boys Basketball Scrimmage
Windsor @ SM
7:00 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball Scrimmage
Windsor @ SM
There IS a big interest in high school sports. The perception may be that not enough care but that is mainly because the Marin IJ and the Novato Advance do such a poor job.