Friday Night Lights Return to the Mission City

By Robert Haugh

The high school football season has kicked into high gear with Wilcox and Santa Clara gearing up for their division schedules.

Wilcox Chargers to Contend in Always Tough De Anza Division

The Wilcox Chargers (0-2) started their slate with non-league battles against two of the top teams in Northern California. The gold and black fell 28-20 to the Monterey Trail Mustangs (1-0) of Elk Grove, CA on Aug. 25 and fell 48-7 at West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) powerhouse Valley Christian Warriors (1-1) on Sept. 1. But the Chargers are perennial Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) De Anza division contenders and should have another good season.

Senior QB David Hernandez leads the Chargers offense. He recorded 130 yards rushing and three TDs against the Mustangs.  Junior Gabe Herrera added 98 yards rushing with last year’s CCS freshmen football player of the year sophomore Paul Rosa, Jr. adding 63 yards and two PATs. Rosa led the Chargers with 74 yards and a TD against the Warriors.

Santa Clara Bruins Hoping for Strong Season After Falling to El Camino Division

The Santa Clara Bruins (2-0) are hoping for a strong SCVAL El Camino division run after going winless in the De Anza division last year (2-8, 0-6). The Bruins cruised to a strong start, with crushing non-league wins. The blue and gold claimed a 62-7 win over the Prospect Panthers (0-2) on Aug. 25 and a 57-28 triumph over the Overfelt Royals (0-2) on Sept. 1.

Senior RB Erik Ketton rushed for 131 yards and two TDs against Prospect while senior QB Chris Brown was 5-for-8 for 97 yards and three TDs as well as adding a rushing TD. Junior Richard Corona recorded two TD receptions with sophomore Geary Brown III adding one TD reception. Junior Nick Garcia was 8-for-9 on PATs. Against Overfelt, Senior Jamaal Joyner, Jr. rushed for 85 yards.  Brown went 19-for-30 for 243 yards and five TDs. Garcia recorded 11 receptions for 155 yards, including all five reception TDs. He also was 6-for-9 on PATs and recorded a field goal.

Mission City Bowl

With 31 consecutive wins over Santa Clara, the Chargers own the cross-town rivalry. In the last 12 games, the Chargers have trounced the Bruins 546-143. The Bruins’ last triumph over the Chargers was a 10-7 victory on Nov. 8, 1985.

This year’s Mission City Bowl is Friday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at Wilcox.

Marquee Games

Friday, Sept. 15             Wilcox vs. San Benito, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22             Santa Clara vs. Gunn, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 23         Wilcox vs. Los Altos at Levi’s Stadium, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 29              Wilcox vs. Los Gatos, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 13         Santa Clara at Cupertino, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 20         Santa Clara vs. Mountain View, 7 p.m.

Friday, November 3        Wilcox vs. Santa Clara at Wilcox, 7 p.m.