November 24th 2024.
Last year, there was an exciting match between Los Gatos and Archbishop Riordan in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. Los Gatos, a school from the South Bay, won the game by two touchdowns. This year, there was a lot of anticipation for a rematch. Riordan had been on a winning streak after a rough start to their 2024 season, and the game was being played on their home turf in San Francisco.
But as we all know, things don't always go as expected. Despite Riordan's strong offense, led by their 41-point performance in the first round, they were held back by Los Gatos' solid defense. And when a late fumble gave Los Gatos an opportunity, they seized it.
In the final minutes of the game, senior quarterback Scotty Brennan connected with senior tight end Owen Panu for a 17-yard touchdown pass, securing the win for Los Gatos. Panu described it as an "amazing" feeling, one of the best he's ever had.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams scoring quickly in the first quarter. Riordan took an early lead with a 2-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Jones, but Los Gatos responded with a 19-yard TD pass to Panu. Riordan then retook the lead with a 7-yard pass from Mike Mitchell Jr. to Judge Nash.
The first half ended with that score, but Los Gatos wasted no time in the second half. Thanks to a 44-yard kickoff return by Beau Musser, they were able to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Grayson Doslak. But Riordan was quick to answer, with a 5-yard run by Adonyae Brown increasing their lead to 21-13.
Then came the moment that changed the game. Brennan made a perfect throw to Musser for a 73-yard touchdown, bringing Los Gatos back into the game. But Riordan's talent was evident on the next play, with Brown running 80 yards untouched for another touchdown.
But Los Gatos still had some fight left in them. Doslak ran in a 25-yard delayed handoff, and Brennan's successful two-point conversion pass to Panu tied the game at 28-28. With just over six minutes left, Riordan opted to go for it on a fourth-and-5, but their pass was just one yard short, giving Los Gatos the ball.
In a crucial moment, Los Gatos drove the ball down to Riordan's 24-yard line, facing a fourth-and-2. Despite the wind working against them, they went for it, but Brennan's pass was knocked down by Riordan's Chris Lawson. However, Los Gatos' defense came through once again, forcing a fumble and setting up the game-winning touchdown.
This was the second week in a row that Los Gatos' defense had come through in a crucial moment, proving their strength and determination. Head coach Mark Krail praised their performance and also commended Brennan for his leadership and skill on the field.
In the end, it was a team effort that led to Los Gatos' victory. Everyone, from the defense to the offense, played an important role in securing the win. And as Brennan himself noted, it was a true team effort that led to this incredible victory.
In a highly anticipated rematch, San Francisco's Archbishop Riordan High School hosted Los Gatos in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. These two teams had faced off in the opening round last season, with Los Gatos coming out on top with a two-touchdown victory. However, this year was supposed to be different. Riordan had been on a hot streak, winning five consecutive games after starting the season with a 2-4 record. Plus, they would be playing on their home turf this time around.
But, as they say, things don't always go as planned. Despite their strong performance in the previous round, Riordan was held to just enough points by Los Gatos' formidable defense. And when a late fumble gave Los Gatos an opportunity, they seized it with a game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Scotty Brennan to tight end Owen Panu. A last-second Hail Mary attempt by Riordan was unsuccessful, securing a 35-28 victory for Los Gatos.
Panu, who caught the winning touchdown, couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming that he had never felt a better feeling in his life. The Wildcats came close to scoring on their previous possession, but a well-timed play by Riordan's Chris Lawson prevented them from doing so. However, a fumble by Riordan on their next possession gave Los Gatos a chance to win the game, and they capitalized on it.
Coach Mark Krail praised his team's determination and mindset on defense, stating that they always strive to create opportunities and swarm the football. He also expressed his pride in his team, who were once again seen as the underdogs by outsiders but proved them wrong with their impressive performance.
The game started off with both teams scoring quickly. Riordan struck first with a 2-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Jones, but Los Gatos responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Panu. Riordan then regained the lead with a 7-yard pass from Mike Mitchell Jr. to Judge Nash. This would be the end of the scoring in the first quarter, and the first half.
However, Los Gatos wasted no time in the second half, with a 44-yard kickoff return by Beau Musser setting them up for a touchdown by Grayson Doslak. Riordan quickly responded with a touchdown of their own by Adonyae Brown, extending their lead to 21-13. But Los Gatos' Brennan made a game-changing play with a perfectly placed deep pass to Musser for a 73-yard touchdown.
Brennan, who had a stellar performance throughout the game, acknowledged Riordan's talented team and their ability to make big plays. But Los Gatos' determination and resilience paid off as they continued to fight back. Brown's 80-yard touchdown run was matched by Doslak's 25-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 28-26. On the two-point conversion, Brennan found Panu in the back of the end zone, tying the game.
The game remained tied until Riordan attempted a fourth-and-5 play, which was stopped just one yard short of a first down. This gave Los Gatos possession of the ball with just over six minutes remaining in the game. They drove the ball down to Riordan's 24-yard line but faced a crucial fourth-and-2. Despite the challenging situation and the wind working against them, Krail and his team decided to go for it. Unfortunately, the pass was batted down by Lawson.
But Los Gatos' defense came through once again, forcing a fumble that set up the game-winning play. This was a familiar scenario for Los Gatos, as they had also relied on a late fumble recovery to secure an upset win in the previous round against Serra. Krail credited the team's defensive coaches for their excellent game plan and preparation.
However, the offense also played a crucial role in the victory, with Brennan leading the charge. He continued to shine in his senior year, making clutch plays when it mattered most. Krail praised his quarterback's performance and the team's physical running game against a larger Riordan defense. He also commended their refusal to give up or back down in the face of adversity.
But Brennan was quick to deflect the praise, emphasizing that it was a team effort and many players played crucial roles in the victory. Los Gatos' journey continues as they move on to the next round, grateful for the opportunity to spend more time together as a team.
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