DANVILLE — McClymonds hadn’t allowed a point through its first two games and still hadn’t after one quarter Friday night in a highly anticipated rematch against San Ramon Valley.
But then SRV got the play it needed to ignite a 35-7 victory that improved the Danville school’s record to 4-0.
Max Ellis intercepted a third-down pass and returned it 31 yards up the sideline to midfield.
A few plays later, John Ben Pau Mendoza weaved his way for a 35-yard touchdown that broke a scoreless tie. The Wolves added another touchdown just before halftime on a 21-yard pass from Luke Baker to Pau Mendoza and put the game away by the end of the third quarter.
Pau Mendoza accounted for 137 yards — 70 through the air and 67 on the ground — and scored three TDs. Baker passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score as the Wolves avenged a 45-42 loss to Mack last season in Oakland.
San Ramon Valley’s John Pau Mendoza(3) runs for a touchdown against McClymonds in the second quarter of their game at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The San Ramon Valley student body waves their hands while playing McClymonds in the second quarter of their game at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
When it was over, Baker gave the biggest shout-out to his team’s defense. Mack’s only points came on Adon Dent’s 94-yard kickoff return to start the second half.
“Our defense shut them out,” Baker said. “That’s a great team. A lot of great athletes. The offense started out really slow. That was my fault. Didn’t play my best game. But the defense, they kept us in it. They were dominant.”
Baker thought the turning point came just before Ellis’ interception. During that series, star linebacker Marco Jones went down injured, holding the back of his leg.
The junior eventually hobbled to the sideline but missed only one play.
When Jones returned, he made a huge tackle on second down. Ellis’ interception came on the next snap.
“First play back in, tackle for loss and gets them into a passing situation,” Baker said. “That play by Marco was incredible and then the pick and the return was great.”
San Ramon Valley’s John Pau Mendoza (3) scores a touchdown past McClymonds’ Sharky Tamale (18) in the third quarter of their game at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Even after the interception, SRV went backward — false start, then a six-yard sack. But a 22-yard screen pass from Baker to Pau Mendoza set up the running back’s 35-yard touchdown run.
“Max Ellis got the pick and it really got everyone’s juices flowing,” Pau Mendoza said. “I was like we’ve got to capitalize on this one. Shout-out to Max, but it was a great feeling getting into the end zone for the first time …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
