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San Marin won Friday nightâs regular-season finale in Rohnert Park, beating Rancho Cotate 27-14 to head into the playoffs with a winning record in league play.
Itâs the second season in a row that the Mustangs have defeated Rancho, after last yearâs triumph on a last-second field goal on their home field in Novato.
How it happened
Fridayâs game started out as a defensive battle, with the Cougarsâ defense forced to flex its muscles early on. With the San Marin offense facing fourth-and-goal on its opening drive at Ranchoâs one-yard line, the hosts stuffed Mustangs running back Freddy Reier to avoid an early hole.
But in what became a theme throughout the night, Rancho couldnât capitalize and gave the ball right back after a three-and-out. San Marin made them pay, as quarterback and San Jose State commit Daniel Rolovich hit Nico Garbarino to open the scoring.
The Cougars (5-5, 1-4 REC-Adobe) went for it on fourth down on their next drive but couldnât convert. San Marin (8-2, 3-2) again made the turnover count, hitting the first of two field goals that helped put the Mustangs up 13-0 at half.
San Marin kept up the scoring after the break, opening the second half with a touchdown from Andrew Keehn to push the lead to 20-0. Rancho went three-and-out yet again on its next possession.
The Cougars finally found the end zone with 8:24 left in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jackson Rhode hit John McClellan for a 52-yard strike. The point-after kick was blocked, but the Cougars were at last on the board â although down 27-6 after Reier scored for the visitors on the drive before.
The Cougars added one more score with 12 seconds left in the game. Wyatt Gregori, in at QB, hit Luke Morie in the back of the end zone, and the two-point try was good, to cut the deficit.
Key play
Rolovichâs touchdown pass to Garbarino to open the scoring set the tone for the game.
Quotable
âAt the end of the day, they made plays and we didnât; thatâs what it came down to. We were inches away from would-be touchdowns in the first half, but we couldnât protect it and thatâs the story of this gamw. Weâre battling, we just have to rediscover ourselves and see what kind of product we can put on the field if our season continues.â â Rancho Cotate head coach Gehrig Hotaling.
âWe were playing a field-position game. That defense is tough and itâs tough to read ⊠a lot of credit to their defensive coordinator and defense; itâs a really good unit.â â San Marin head coach Dominic DiMare.
Up next
Both teams will await their placement in the North Coast Section playoffs, with the brackets set to be released Sunday.