The Analy Tigers know how St. Helena feels.
Playing a very close game against a No. 1 seed that was a big favorite, they are still faced with the reality that close isn’t good enough.
It wasn’t as offensive as Analy’s 62-46 loss to Campolindo, but it was just as close in its own way.  The game wasn’t decided until Salesian converted a fourth down play with 1:16 left to secure a 14-7 win and give them their fourth section championship in five years.
Fourth down plays would be a big part of this championship game, as would be solid defenses.
The big moment of the game was right before halftime.  St. Helena was winning the field position battle in a scoreless game and pinned Salesian back at its own 4 yard line with 3:30 left in the half.   Salesian drove 96 yards, converting a fourth down play at midfield, before scoring on one yard scoring pass from Jaylen Tregle to Alex Hutchinson with only :23 left to give Salesian a 7-0 halftime lead.
The field position game set up the second touchdown in the third quarter.  Salesian downed a punt at the St. Helena one yard line.  The Saints couldn’t get a first down and were forced to punt, which set up Salesian in good field position. Next came one of the few big plays of the game, when Tregle hit Prentic Reid for a 46 yard pass play.  It was nearly half of the Salesian passing offense on the night and set them up with a first and goal at the nine yard line.   On the next play, Charles Hillary scored and it was 14-0.  Hillary was the biggest offensive threat of this game, gaining 120 yards on 26 carries.
St. Helena made a game of it in the fourth quarter.  Jack Preston scored the Saints touchdown on a four yard run with four minutes left to cut the lead to 14-7, but St. Helena never got the ball back.
St. Helena finished the season 12-1.  The twelve wins are the most in school history.
Salesian has won ten straight and is now 11-2 on the season.   They are hoping their season isn’t over, as they would love a berth in the Nor Cal Bowl Playoff.
 
DIVISION 2
No. 1 Clayton Valley 33 No.2 Concord 6
This wasn’t as close as the score indicates.   Clayton Valley had a 27-0 lead in the second quarter.   By halftime, running back Miles Harrison had 207 yards rushing and two touchdowns of 96 and 59 yards.  He added a 49 yard run in the second half and ended the game with 287 yards.
Clayton Valley will go to the Division 2 Nor Cal playoff game.
 
DIVISION 4
No. 3 Justin Siena 18 No. 1 St. Mary’s 10
There won’t be a No. 1 seed clean sweep.
Justin Siena wins its sixth section title since 2000.
Naufahu Anitoni kicked two field goals, including a 39 yarder in the third quarter,which gave Justin Siena the lead for good at 12-10.
William Boyd rushed for two touchdowns.  The last one with 7:47 left for the final score.
 
DIVISION 1
AT DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL
7 PM                                   
No. 1 De LaSalle (12-0) vs. No. 3 Pittsburg (10-2)
CAL PREPS PROJECTION: De La Salle by 28
 
DIVISION 3
7 PM
No. 1 Campolindo (13-0) vs. No. 3 Marin Catholic (10-3)
AT DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE
CAL PREPS PROJECTION: Campolindo by 14
My email address is jacpasquini@comcast.net