De La Salle was back at full strength after missing numerous players and coach Justin Alumbaugh last week because of COVID-19 protocols.
The result was predictable.
The Spartans, playing on the road, built a four-touchdown halftime lead against San Ramon Valley and went on to a 48-14 victory.
De La Salle has won four of five since losing to St. Francis in early September and three in a row since its loss to St. Frances Academy of Baltimore this month.
The Spartans, ranked third by the Bay Area News Group, are 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the East Bay Athletic League’s Mountain Division.
No. 8 San Ramon Valley fell to 5-3, 1-2.
Zeke Berry, Charles Greer, Zeke Barber, AJ Bianchina and quarterback Luke Dermon had solid games for De La Salle, which will close its regular season with home games against Amador Valley next Friday and Clayton Valley Charter on Nov. 5.
Dermon threw for 100 yards and two TDs, and Berry completed two halfback option passes for 84 yards and ran for 104 yards in five carries. Greer rushed for 57 yards and two TDs in nine attempts, and Bianchina ran for a score and caught a TD pass.
De La Salle finished with 532 yards to SRV’s 263.
“We spread it everywhere,” Alumbaugh said. “A lot of guys involved. We had everybody back. We had our full team.
“I was there, which I would say helps,” the coach added with a laugh.
On the downside, the Spartans had several penalties and a few dropped passes.
“It was not a perfect game,” Alumbaugh said. “But it was way more good than bad. It was pretty workmanlike. We ran the ball effectively and we threw the ball more, for sure.”
Last week, shorthanded De La Salle handed California its first defeat, 52-14.
Jack Quigley passed for 205 yards and two TDs for San Ramon Valley.
SRV visits California next Friday and then finishes its regular season on Nov. 5 at home against Monte Vista.
Source: www.mercurynews.com