November 10th 2024.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, high school quarterback Mike Mitchell Jr. demonstrated why he is committed to playing for Vanderbilt University. His precise throwing arm led his team to a victory, throwing for 129 yards and two touchdowns. But it was his impressive athleticism that stole the show, as he made an incredible 15-yard run for a crucial first down in the final minutes of the game.
Despite facing a tough St. Francis defense, Mitchell powered through and showed off his toughness by taking a hard hit from linebacker Sefanaia Alatini and still managing to score a touchdown. This play gave his team the lead and ultimately secured their victory. This win was particularly special for Mitchell, as it marked the first time he had beaten every team in the West Catholic Athletic League during his time at Riordan High School.
The game was a close one, with both teams fighting for the WCAL title. St. Francis, who had been leading for most of the game, ended up sharing the title with St. Ignatius. Their coach, Greg Calcagno, acknowledged that Riordan played a great game and made the necessary plays to secure the win. Meanwhile, Riordan's coach Adhir Ravipati was proud of his team's performance and felt that they were building momentum as they headed into the playoffs.
In the midst of this intense game, there were standout players on both sides. For Riordan, wide receiver Chris Lawson had a great game, catching a touchdown and also making an interception on defense. Another impressive play came from Cynai Thomas, who made a one-handed interception while falling out of bounds. His teammate, Lawson, described this as a regular occurrence for Thomas, saying "That's regular for him. He's a dog."
St. Francis also had some standout players, such as running back Kingston Keanaaina who ran for 97 yards and scored a touchdown on a kickoff return. Quarterback Aaron Knapp also had a strong performance, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another. However, it was the underrated Riordan offensive line, led by senior tackle Peter Langi, that made a big impact on the game. They consistently opened up holes for running backs Jeremiah Jones and Adonyae Brown, who combined for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading touchdowns throughout the first half. Riordan's Wesley Winn and Cynai Thomas both caught touchdown passes from Mitchell, while St. Francis' Joey Paulson and Keanaaina also made impressive plays for their team. At halftime, the score was tied at 21.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with the only points coming from a field goal by Riordan's Aaron Wong. But in the fourth quarter, Riordan took control of the game, dominating with their running game and controlling the clock. They ran 21 plays compared to St. Francis' 6, and ultimately secured the win with a touchdown by Adonyae Brown.
The win was a special one for Riordan, as they had lost to St. Francis in the previous year. Brown, who scored the final touchdown, expressed his satisfaction with getting revenge on their opponent. Both teams will now turn their attention to the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs, which will be announced the following day. Riordan's coach, Ravipati, believes his team is hitting their stride just in time for the playoffs.
As the game ended and the crowd erupted in cheers, Ravipati and his team celebrated their well-deserved victory. It was a hard-fought game, with both teams giving it their all, but in the end, it was Riordan who came out on top. This game was a testament to the talent and dedication of these young athletes, and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
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