Article 349: Spartans rally in San Mateo

September 8, 2013

The Justin Alumbaugh era of De La Salle football is now 2-0 but the second win required the Spartans to rally in the fourth quarter. After a scoreless first half, Serra had a 14-7 lead midway into the final quarter before the Spartans battled to win 21-14.

The Spartans improved their NorCal win streak to 238 games. To reach such a streak, a team needs to play with guts and get some lucky breaks. The Spartans did not play their best game and had some critical first half injuries but dug down for the victory in the final quarter.

De La Salle will need to regroup as their next three games are against NCP Top 20 teams in St. Mary's Stockton, Del Oro, and San Ramon Valley. After that stretch, a trip scheduled to Southern California to face a perennial power in Servite of Anaheim. Any inconsistent play or lingering effects from the key injuries may expose the Spartans.

Serra's first half lack of offense may have been due to season opener jitters. But the defense kept the team in the game even without key starters. The offense showed some signs of life in the second half.

The Padres have a bye week to get healthy before taking on Encinal and Buhach Colony in non-league battles away from San Mateo. The league opener will be tough as they face Bellarmine in San Jose. This early stretch of road games could forecast how resilient the Padres will be.

Player Report

Adam Mayer 6-foot-1, 190 pounds WR/DB De La Salle (2015): Mayer elevated for a pass in the end zone at the end of the first half and landed awkwardly. The junior suffered a fracture in his leg as he was considered the top receiving threat in the passing game.

Dasmond Tautalatasi 6-foot-1, 190 pounds RB/DB De La Salle (2014): Committed to Arizona State, Tautalatasi dislocated his elbow early in the second quarter. His value on both sides of the ball will be missed and will test the depth of the Spartans.

Chris Williams 5-foot-11, 230 pounds QB De La Salle (2014): Williams is a load to take down as he had two goal line touchdown sneaks but also had a fumble and interception. With two of his skilled position starters on offense out, Williams will need to pick up the offensive load more now.

Austin Jackson 6-foot-4, 185 pounds WR Serra (2014): Jackson had two nice long receptions including the 85 yard score in the fourth quarter to give Serra a 14-7 lead. Jackson has good size for a receiver and displayed some shifty moves to get free for his long score.

Matthew Fa'aita 5-foot-10, 190 pounds QB Serra (2014): Fa'aita gives the Padres a mobile quarterback who can scramble out of trouble. He accounted for both of the Padres scores on a goal line sneak and the long passing play to Jackson. But Fa'aita also had two bad interceptions with the latter one setting up the winning score for the Spartans.

Matthew Dickerson 6-foot-5, 275 pounds DT Serra (2014): Committed to Notre Dame, Dickerson was not in pads for the game. With an extra bye week to rest, Dickerson should be ready for their matchup with Encinal.