Mateo more flare for the dramatic

The thriller ranks among the most exciting Scheller has ever coached in his 193 career games.

“One of ’em, I think so, yeah,” Scheller said. “It was an exciting game.”

That’s saying something, as the Bearcats were coming off a 20-13 overtime win in their postseason opener to knock off top-seed Woodside. This one was even more of a nail-biter, as Live Oak jumped ahead 36-33 with 2:43 to play. But the Bearcats answered with a little bit of luck and a lot a bit of rushing skill.

San Mateo got the game-winning drive moving when Fitzgerald’s pass, initially intended for senior Sergio Oliveros, was batted up in the air, only to have it fall into the hands of teammate Cameron Barry, who was trailing 5 yards behind, for a fortuitous first-down catch. On the next play, sophomore TJ Johnson took a toss around the wide side for a 64-yard pickup to the Live Oak 2-yard line. Fitzgerald promptly pounded it in to put the Bearcats on top.

“Excitement, of course,” Scheller said of the reaction on the San Mateo sideline, “but Live Oak is so explosive. It was about holding them. ... They still had timeouts, so it wasn’t easy.”

San Mateo set the tone early, when junior linebacker Roman Toki recovered a strip fumble near midfield and returned it to inside the 10. Fitzgerald then rushed it in for his first of two running TDs of the night.

“There was one turnover in the game, and that was it,” Scheller said. “And we scored ... off that drive.”

San Mateo took a 27-21 lead into the break, but had a chance to add to it on the final play of the first half. Live Oak, though, blocked a 30-yard field goal try. The Acorns went on to take the lead twice in the second half.

Fitzgerald racked up 197 total yards and three touchdowns, including 20 carries for a team-high 112 yards and two TDs. He also connected with senior Tyce Copus for a 68-yard scoring pass.

Fitzgerald has now taken 43 carries for 232 yards through two playoff games, and is 4 yards shy of 1,500 rushing yards on the season.

“He’s banged up but he’s tough,” Scheller said. “He’s big and strong. It’s football hurt, not injured.”

Barry, Copus and senior Yianni Fitzgerald each added rushing touchdowns for San Mateo. Live Oak senior Josiah Delgado led all rushers with 26 carries for 175 yards and two scores.

San Mateo now advances to the CCS Division III finals to face No. 3 Menlo-Atherton, Saturday, at Kathleen MacDonald High School in San Jose. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Sobrato 27, Terra Nova 19

Senior quarterback Joey Donati went for 267 total yards with three touchdowns, but this was not enough at No. 3 Terra Nova (8-4) fell at No. 2 Sobrato (8-4).

Donati was intercepted four times in the game. The senior was 13-of-23 passing for 182 yards and a score to sophomore Robbie Johnson, and four INTs. He also totaled 17 carries for 85 yards.

FRIDAY

St. Ignatius 42, Menlo School 6

The air attack of the Wildcats proved too much for Menlo to handle, as No. 1-seed St. Ignatius (6-6) threw for six touchdowns in the CCS Division II semifinals in San Francisco.

No. 4 Menlo (9-3) was paced by senior Jack Freehill’s 122 total yards, including his team’s only score on a touchdown pass to senior Trevor Van der Pyl. Senior quarterback Caedon Afsharipour led the way for the Wildcats, completing 13 of 15 passes for 181 yards and five touchdowns. Freshman Isaac Liu added a one touchdown pass.

St. Ignatius will now face No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral in an all-West Catholic Athletic League showdown of rivals in the CCS Division II championship game Saturday at San Jose City College. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

In other action ...

No. 5 Half Moon Bay (8-4) fell 56-45in the CCS Division IV semifinals at No. 1 Branham-San Jose (7-5).

In CCS Division V action, Piedmont Hills-San Jose (9-3) rolled to a 41-24 en route to running over No. 2 Jefferson.