The Moreau Catholic Mariners battled until the end, but lost 41-27 at home to a late rally by the Salesian College Preparatory Pride in Hayward on Friday, September 6 in a non-conference game.
The Mariners had the lead going into the fourth quarter, but Salesian scored to retake the lead and then capitalized off a recovered onside kick to score again and seal the game. The Pride played a well-balanced game, attacking consistently on the ground and through the air. With the loss, Moreau falls to 1-1 overall this season and Salesian improves to 2-0.
Starting Moreau quarterback Jeremiah Charles finished with one rushing touchdown, wide receiver Jalen Arnold finished with one receiving touchdown, running back Jayden Bryant scored one rushing touchdown and wide receiver Miles Moore also had one receiving touchdown. The rivalry between these two schools currently exists because the Mariners lost at home 26-15 to Salesian in last season’s playoffs. There is also the strong likelihood that these two teams may meet again in this season’s playoffs, giving this game a preview of what may be to come later this year.
“It felt good to bring some rage back into the game after Salesian beat us last season in the playoffs, but the loss doesn’t feel good,” said Mariners’ wide receiver Jalen Arnold.
Salesian received the opening kickoff and on their first drive that started from their own 35-yard line they were able to run the ball to gain yardage to get into Mariners territory. On a fourth-and-six their quarterback threw a pass to wide receiver Paulo Ocampo for a touchdown giving the Pride a 7-0 lead at the 8:17 mark in the first quarter.
The Mariners came right back on the next drive with efficient running by Jayden Bryant who had a 23-yard gain that helped them get to a first and goal from the 2-yard line. It was quarterback Charles who then walked in for their first score on a quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7-7 with 7 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Salesian Pride moved the ball well on the ensuing drive with great passing that found them deep in Mariner territory again. The Pride’s Isaiah Latigue was found for a catch in the right corner of the end zone for another touchdown to give them a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.
Moreau could not convert on downs which brought up a fourth-and nine situation where they punted the ball back to the Pride. Salesian started their next drive from their own 22-yard line. Their running game was going well the whole night and gave them big gains on that drive as well. On a third-and-three situation Salesian ran in for the touchdown. After a blocked point after attempt (PAT) by Mariners’ William Jenson, the Pride were up 20-7 early in the second quarter.
On a huge punt return by Arnold to the Salesian one yard-line that set up a first and goal, Arnold scored on the first play to bring the score to 20-14 with 8:14 remaining in the first half. This is when the tide began to shift in favor of the Mariners.
“That touchdown I had in the second quarter was a great game changer,” said Arnold.
With the Pride on a first-and-10 on the Mariner 33-yard line, the Mariners’ Seth Evans recovered a forced fumble to give them the opportunity to take the lead of the game for the first time. Miles Moore did just that when he received a huge reception from Charles to go 66 yards in for the touchdown to give Moreau the lead at 21-20 with 3:10 remaining in the first half.
A.J. Jackson caught an interception for Moreau at their own 19-yard line to give them the ball back and a chance to add to their lead. The Mariners would have gone into the locker room at halftime with the lead if it was not for a hike by their center that was thrown too high and uncatchable by the quarterback, resulting in a safety and two points for Salesian making it a 22-21 Pride lead. Mariner’s got the ball back again before halftime after Moore recovered another forced fumble with 14.2 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Mariners decided to kneel and went into the intermission down 22-21.
“We had the confidence and the momentum in the third quarter with a chance to win the game,” said Bryant.
After the break, Moreau received the second half kickoff to start their first drive at their own 15-yard line but were forced to punt after a three and out. Salesian then turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth down attempt. On a first-and-10 from the Mariners own 32-yard line, Bryant ran the length of the field for a huge touchdown. After a missed PAT Moreau found themselves up 27-22 heading into the final quarter.
“We have to sustain our momentum,” said Moreau’s head coach Keith Minor. “We didn’t execute in the fourth quarter.”
The fourth quarter began with a second-and-five by Salesian at the Mariner 10-yard line. On that play Joseph Tarin caught an end zone pass in the left corner for a touchdown to give Salesian the lead again at 28-27 just six seconds into the quarter. Salesian scored again on another pass to Ocampo to go up 34-27. The Pride then recovered an onside kick with 7 minutes remaining and on that drive which began from the Moreau 44-yard line, then ran in for another on a second-and-goal from the three to go up 41-27 with 2:28 remaining. The Mariners didn’t have enough time to come back so they lost the game.
“I think this game came down to who wanted it more and who was more disciplined,” said Arnold. “Give respect where respect is due, because Salesian has some real athletes on their team.”
There are still high hopes in the Mariner’s locker room that they will have a successful season, but that all depends on how their defense recovers after this loss. Salesian was able to run the ball effectively all night against Moreau and that is an area where they must focus if they choose to make a run in this year’s postseason.
“I think we’re a good football team, we just have to play well every week,” said Minor.
The Mariners play their next game Friday, September 13 on the road at San Marin in Novato in a non-conference matchup. For more on the Mariners football schedule, visit http://Maxpreps.com
