CONCORD, CALIFORNIA — Things simply can’t get much better than this for high school football in Northern California.
De La Salle, the kings of the sport for three decades, were replaced three years ago by a rival school from across the bay – the Serra Padres of San Mateo.
The Spartans appeared poised to reclaim the unofficial crown when they fielded Serra at Owen Owens Field on Friday, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. De La Salle is trying to rebound a bit after losing to the Padres two years in a row, including last season by a 28-0 score.
Both teams started the season with flying colors last week. The Spartans defeated then-second-ranked Grant Union of the Sac-Joaquin Section 42-14 thanks to an explosive running attack and tough defense. Serra, meanwhile, had to replace 18 former starters and surprised then-No. 4 ranked Folsom in the state, 22-21, with a thrilling comeback late in the fourth quarter.
De La Salle rose to No. 6 in the SBLive California Power 25 rankings, while Serra moved up to No. 12. The Padres have represented Northern California in the CIF’s top game, the Open Division, while De La Salle holds the most California state titles with seven, though the last was in 2015.
Live stream: You can watch Serra vs. De La Salle live on NFHS Network
Follow live updates below as the game gets underway, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.
(Update for the latest updates)
QUARTER 4 UPDATES
Final result: DE LA SALLE 39, SERRA 10
The Padres don’t give up, methodically charging down the field on their final drive, only to have a fourth-down pass intercepted in the end zone by Zay Davis. It was Serra’s third turnover of the game. One snap later, the Spartans have officially avenged two humiliating losses to the Padres, including a 28-0 victory last season in San Mateo.
Suppose Davis catches Serra’s last breath. Final score: De La Salle 39, Serra 10 pic.twitter.com/Ob66I8M3su
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
DE LA SALLE TOUCHDOWN! Derrick Blanche breaks free and scores a 55-yard touchdown that decides the game with 6:31 minutes left in the fourth quarter. De La Salle 39, Serra 10
And another solo effort for De La Salle. 62-yard sprint by Derrick Blanche Jr. De La Salle 39, Serra 10. 6:31 4Q. pic.twitter.com/H9poIGvlDX
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
3RD QUARTER UPDATES
END OF 3RD QUARTER: De La Salle 32, Serra 10
TOUCHDOWN IN SALT! Jaden Jefferson breaks free and runs a 43-yard touchdown run that gives De La Salle a 32-10 lead with 1:34 left in the quarter.
TOUCHDOWN, SERRA! The Padres struck back with a 14-yard touchdown run by Iziah Singleton, cutting the lead to 26-10 with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN IN SALT!: The Spartans are now stepping on the gas. Dominic Kelley scores with a 3-yard run and gives De La Salle a 26-3 lead.
Another Serra turnover after a big hit, Kelley goes in from the 3, his second TD of the 3rd quarter. DLS 26, Serra 3. 5:56 3rd quarter. Kelley sat out most of last week with a minor leg injury, which opened the door for Duece Jones-Drew. DLS has a bunch of backs. Most I’ve seen here in maybe 2 decades. pic.twitter.com/38mzvMqUCD
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
TOUCHDOWN IN SALT!: Dominic Kelley scores a 12-yard touchdown run to give De La Salle a 20-3 lead with 8:09 minutes left in the 3rd quarter (PAT blocked).
First, Dominic Kelley breaks through a scrum for 24 yards and then finishes the drive with a 12-yard touchdown. XP blocked. DLS 20, Serra 3. 8:09 3Q. Kelley is a D1 candidate with 7 offers. pic.twitter.com/GBA2i2btus
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
QUARTER 2 UPDATES
Halftime result: DE LA SALLE 14, SERRA 3
TOUCHDOWN IN SALT!: QB Toa Faavae throws a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Nicholas with 0.02 seconds left in the half to take a 14-3 lead. A huge swing.
Backbreaker! Toa Faavae throws a 46-yard bomb to Jayden Nicholas. 2 seconds left until halftime. De La Salle 14, Serra 3. Serra went for a TD at DLS 5. Fumble. Blanche makes a 45-yard run. Three plays later DLS TD. pic.twitter.com/p3U1qwLbes
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
FUMBLE! Serra loses the ball at the De La Salle 5-yard line and De La Salle linebacker Niko Baumgartner recovers it with 31 seconds left in the first half.
From the DLS 5, Serra loses the ball. De La Salle #11 catches it again. Not in the squad. 31 seconds left until halftime. pic.twitter.com/0W8nsXTM48
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
BLOCKED FIELD GOAL! De La Salle blocks Serra’s 30-yard field goal attempt and takes over at their own 29-yard line, still leading 7-3.
Another 30-yard field goal attempt by Serra is blocked. DLS takes over on their own 29. pic.twitter.com/lK9LdlMt74
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
QUARTER 1 UPDATES
TOUCHDOWN IN SALT!: QB Toa Faavae scores on a 2-yard run to give De La Salle a 7-3 lead over Serra with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
It took way too long to score, but Toa Faavae’s 2-yard sneak gives DLS a 7-3 lead over Serra. 2:14 1st quarter. Long kickoff return plus 22-yard run by Blanche leads to the TD. pic.twitter.com/4chRymUMnw
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
FIELD GOAL SERRA! The Padres struck first, kicking a 29-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 4:53 left in the first quarter.
Serra FG 29 yards. 4:53 1Q. La Salle leads 3-0. pic.twitter.com/DBhrGitkYt
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
De La Salle receives the opening kickoff and Serra’s defense stops them on fourth and two.
Serra stops DLS on 4th and 2nd pic.twitter.com/X8uJz6u82m
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
PRE-GAME UPDATES
Serra has 92 PLAYERS in his squad!
It never ends. The largest squad in Serra’s history takes the field before the 7:30 p.m. game at De La Salle. Serra has 92 players in the squad. And 260 in the program. Very healthy. pic.twitter.com/aDLS7o9SVu
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) 7 September 2024
The teams are coached by their best friends: Justin Alumbaugh of De La Salle and Patrick Walsh of Serra, both considered two of the best in the state.
De La Salle has numerous players who excelled on the team’s 4×100-meter relay, including quarterback Toa Faavae and running back/cornerback Jaden Jefferson. Duece Jones-Drew, the son of former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, was also a member of the track and field team and began a standout career on the team last week with a 64-yard touchdown run on his first team run.
In the win over Folsom, the Padres took a 13-0 lead, trailed 21-13 at halftime, scored a late touchdown but missed the extra point. Serra recovered an onside kick, then Brode Smith, who had earlier missed an extra point, converted a 38-yard field goal with 10 seconds left to complete one of the most improbable victories of Walsh’s career.
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