PLEASANT HILL — Marley Alcantara did it again.
Just over a year ago, the 5-foot-8 quarterback led Pittsburg on a second half crusade to capture the 2023 North Coast Section Division I title over San Ramon Valley.
On Friday – 372 days after his clutch performance – Alcantara had perhaps his best performance as a Pittsburg quarterback as he led the Pirates in an inspired second half display to beat SRV 35-28 at Diablo Valley College and capture the program’s fourth consecutive NCS Division I championship.
Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara (12) gestures to the camera after scoring a touchdown against San Ramon Valley during the fourth quarter of their North Coast Section Div. I Football Championship game at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Pittsburg defeated San Ramon Valley 35-28. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
“That’s quintessential Marley,” said Pittsburg coach Charlie Ramirez. “He’s the leader, he’s the man. He took matters into his own hands.”
Alcantara finished Friday’s game completing 24 of 35 passes for 432 yards and four touchdowns.
“Watching Marley come in hot in the second half, that really motivated us,” said defensive lineman Jewelous Walls. “We needed that because if we didn’t have that, I don’t know where all our momentum would be at. I appreciate Marley.”
Just a week after Pittsburg’s heartbreaking 10-7 loss to De La Salle in the NCS Open Division title game, the Pirates punched their ticket to a CIF NorCal regional game and will continue their quest for a state title.
“It’s amazing winning another NCS title in my second as a starter,” Alcantara said. “To beat SRV two times in a row. It’s hard. It’s a big deal.”
Pittsburg head coach Charlie Ramirez celebrates as he holds up the first place plaque after winning the North Coast Section Div. I Football Championship game at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Pittsburg defeated San Ramon Valley 35-28. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Early on, it looked like Pittsburg was going to run away with the game.
The Pirates jumped out to a 20-7 lead at the 11:14 mark of the second quarter after Alcantara found Makari Kenion for a 30-yard touchdown.
But after allowing a few explosive Pittsburg scores, SRV found a rhythm in the second quarter.
SRV quarterback Rhett Thompson cut the Pittsburg lead to six after hooking up with Owen Scott for a 27-yard touchdown score. Later in the quarter, Thompson found Scott again in the same spot as SRV took the lead on another 27-yard touchdown throw from Thompson to Scott.
At halftime, SRV led 21-20 and had all the momentum.
San Ramon Valley’s Dylan Deitsch (13) leaps to catch a touchdown pass over Pittsburg’s Jadyn Hudson (10) during the first quarter of their North Coast Section Div. I Football Championship game at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Pittsburg defeated San Ramon Valley 35-28. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
But a fiery speech from Ramirez at halftime jolted Pittsburg and it …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
