UPDATE: Bishop O’Dowd has claimed the North Coast Section Division VI championship in a stunning fashion, defeating Fortuna 59-21 late Saturday afternoon at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward. The Dragons, who began their season with a challenging 1-3 record, showcased their resilience and talent, celebrating their first title in seven years.
The game saw junior running back Lamar Ellis deliver an explosive performance, rushing for 186 yards and scoring five touchdowns. Ellis’s remarkable display included three touchdowns in the first quarter, propelling O’Dowd to an early lead of 21-7.
Despite being the fourth seed, Fortuna made a spirited effort, narrowing the gap to 31-21 with a stunning 93-yard kickoff return touchdown by Michael Shaw to start the second half. However, O’Dowd responded immediately. On the next play from scrimmage, Ellis executed a breathtaking 59-yard run, leading to another touchdown just 59 seconds into the third quarter.
Coach Hardy Nickerson praised Ellis, stating, “He’s as good as I’ve seen, a guy who finds the right hole, has the acceleration, has the power to run through tackles.” This performance was pivotal as O’Dowd (9-4) executed a fourth-down stop, allowing them to extend their lead with a touchdown pass from Christian Cermenelli-Johnson to Bryan Edwards, making it 45-21.
Edwards, who also scored on a 60-yard punt return, demonstrated his exceptional speed and agility throughout the game. “We switched up our plays a little bit, gave them different looks, and they couldn’t stop us,” Edwards said after the game.
The victory not only marks a significant moment for the Dragons but also highlights the potential of their young squad, with several key players, including Ellis and Cermenelli-Johnson, still eligible to compete next season.
With this championship victory secured, O’Dowd now looks toward the upcoming CIF NorCal regionals, with matchups to be announced on Sunday. The Dragons are riding high on momentum and confidence, ready to face whatever challenge lies ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting story continues to unfold!
