November 30th 2024.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Marley Alcantara once again led his team to victory. It had been over a year since the quarterback's heroic performance in the 2023 North Coast Section Division I title game, where he rallied Pittsburg to an unforgettable win against San Ramon Valley. And now, on this Friday night, 372 days later, Alcantara showed off his skills once again, leading the Pirates to a thrilling 35-28 victory over their rivals at Diablo Valley College. It was the team's fourth consecutive NCS Division I championship, a feat that left their coach, Charlie Ramirez, beaming with pride.
"Marley is the epitome of a leader," Ramirez said, beaming with pride. "He took control of the game and led us to victory."
Alcantara's performance was nothing short of exceptional. He completed 24 out of 35 passes for an impressive 432 yards and four touchdowns. His teammates couldn't help but feel inspired by his determination and drive.
"It was amazing to see Marley come out in the second half with such intensity," defensive lineman Jewelous Walls said. "We needed that boost of energy, and he delivered. I'm grateful to have him as our leader."
Pittsburg had suffered a heartbreaking loss to De La Salle in the NCS Open Division title game just a week prior, but they refused to let that defeat hold them back. With this win, they punched their ticket to a CIF NorCal regional game, keeping their hopes alive for a state title.
"It's an incredible feeling to win another NCS title in my second year as a starter," Alcantara shared. "Beating SRV two years in a row is no easy feat. It's a big deal for us."
The game started off in Pittsburg's favor, with the Pirates taking a commanding 20-7 lead early on. Alcantara connected with Makari Kenion for a 30-yard touchdown, and it seemed like they were on their way to a blowout victory. However, SRV fought back and found their rhythm in the second quarter.
Their quarterback, Rhett Thompson, led the charge, bringing the team within six points after a 27-yard touchdown pass to Owen Scott. Thompson and Scott connected again later in the quarter, giving SRV their first lead of the game. At halftime, the momentum was clearly on their side.
But a fiery halftime speech from Coach Ramirez changed everything. The team was fired up and ready to fight for the win in the second half.
"Coach came into the locker room fired up," Walls explained. "We knew he meant business and it motivated us to give it our all."
And that's exactly what they did. The third quarter belonged to Pittsburg as they drove down the field and scored a touchdown, putting them back in the lead. Their defense also stepped up, making crucial stops to keep SRV at bay.
In the final minutes of the third quarter, SRV was once again threatening to score. They had a long drive that brought them to the red zone, but cornerback Truly Bell had other plans. He intercepted a pass in the end zone, giving his team the ball back.
The Pirates took advantage of this turnover and sealed the deal with an 80-yard drive that ended with Alcantara throwing a touchdown pass to Leduane Thomas. They even pulled off a successful trick play for the two-point conversion, solidifying their lead and securing the win with just over nine minutes left in the game. The crowd went wild as the players celebrated their hard-fought victory.
It was another unforgettable performance from Marley Alcantara, who once again proved himself to be a true leader and an invaluable asset to his team. And with Coach Ramirez leading the way, Pittsburg showed resilience and determination, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with on the football field.
In a thrilling game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Marley Alcantara once again proved why he is a force to be reckoned with. The 5-foot-8 quarterback led his team, the Pittsburg Pirates, to a stunning victory over San Ramon Valley in the North Coast Section Division I championship game. This was not the first time Alcantara had shown his clutch abilities, as he had previously led his team to victory in the same championship just a year ago.
It was a game that would be talked about for years to come, as Alcantara delivered one of his best performances as a Pittsburg quarterback. His leadership and determination were evident as he rallied his team in a second-half comeback that ultimately secured their fourth consecutive NCS Division I title. As the final whistle blew, the Pirates emerged victorious with a score of 35-28 over their rivals.
Coach Charlie Ramirez could not help but praise Alcantara, stating that his efforts were "quintessential Marley". He went on to describe the quarterback as the leader and the man of the team, who took matters into his own hands and led them to victory. Alcantara's impressive stat line of 24 completions out of 35 passes for 432 yards and four touchdowns only further solidified his role as a key player for the Pirates.
Alcantara's teammates were also quick to acknowledge his impact on the game. Defensive lineman Jewelous Walls spoke highly of Alcantara's performance, stating that his fiery presence on the field motivated the team and helped them maintain their momentum. This was crucial in securing the win, especially after their heartbreaking loss to De La Salle in the NCS Open Division title game just a week prior.
For Alcantara, it was a surreal moment to win another NCS title in his second year as a starter. He also highlighted the significance of beating San Ramon Valley two times in a row, acknowledging the difficulty of such a feat and the magnitude of the achievement. As they held up the first place plaque, Coach Ramirez and the team celebrated their victory, cementing their place in the history of Pittsburg football.
The game did not start off easy for the Pirates, as they faced an early deficit of 20-7 in the second quarter. However, Alcantara's connection with receiver Makari Kenion for a 30-yard touchdown brought them back into the game. Despite a few explosive scores from Pittsburg, San Ramon Valley managed to take the lead at halftime with a score of 21-20.
But the Pirates were not about to let their rivals have the last laugh. A fiery halftime speech from Coach Ramirez lit a fire under the team, and it showed in their performance in the third quarter. Walls described the coach as "trippin'" in the locker room, but the team knew that this meant he was serious and they needed to step up.
And step up they did. With an impressive 72-yard drive ending in a 29-yard touchdown pass from Alcantara to freshman Kenny Ward, the Pirates regained the lead at 27-21. The defense also played a crucial role, making key stops throughout the second half. One of the most memorable moments came when cornerback Truly Bell intercepted a pass in the end zone, preventing a potential score from San Ramon Valley.
The Pirates capitalized on this momentum, with Alcantara connecting with senior receiver Leduane Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the final quarter. A trick two-point conversion from running back Jamar Searcy to Ward further solidified their lead at 35-21. With just over nine minutes left on the clock, the Pirates could taste victory and played with determination to hold onto their lead until the end.
And as the final seconds ticked away, the Pirates emerged as the NCS Division I champions for the fourth consecutive year. It was a hard-fought battle, but Alcantara and his team had once again proved themselves as worthy champions. With a spot in the CIF NorCal regional game secured, the Pirates were now one step closer to their ultimate goal – a state title.
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