By Robert Haugh

After securing their division title, the No. 1 seed Wilcox Chargers (8-2, 5-0 Peninsula Bay) host the Santa Teresa Saints (9-1, 5-1) at 7 p.m. tonight at Fitzpatrick Field in a CCS Division 2 opening round battle. 

En route to their undefeated division crown, the Chargers had a tough slate. After defeating perennial league foe Los Gatos 19-14 in Los Gatos on November 1, they then triumphed over recent rival Menlo-Atherton 30-21. During their division slate, they beat their opponents by a combined 154-69. 

They also trounced cross-town rival, the Santa Clara Bruins 42-0 on Sept. 26 in the annual Mission City Bowl. 

The Chargers’ offense is led by senior two-way star Brayden Rosa who leads the CCS in scoring with 146 points. He’s compiled 1,188 yards rushing and 309 yards receiving with 24 total TDs. He also shines on defense with a team-high 74 tackles. He also has one sack and INT. 

Sophomore QB Kai Imahara (69-for-99) boasts a 112.9 QB rating having thrown for 893 yards and 7 TDs. He’s also amassed 595 yards and 6 TDs on the ground. 

The Chargers’ potent rushing attack also includes Sophomore Elijah Vallejo with 430 yards and 4 TDs rushing and senior Jeiman Delos Santos with 357 yards and 3 TDs. 

On Defense, junior Santino Barragan has 53 tackles and 4 sacks; junior Nicolas Hernandez has 52 tackles and junior Gilbert Padilla 46 tackles. Senior Dillon Faga has 2 sacks with junior Jeremiah Arevalos recording two INTs. 

Santa Teresa is led by senior QB Brenton Gaches who has 1,252 yards passing with 9 TDs and 6 INTs. He also has 101 yards and 4 TDs rushing. 

Junior Brian Caldwell leads the Saints’ rush offense with 512 yards and 8 TDs. Senior Jaikob Wright has 5 TDs. Junior Jaylon Malcom has three reception TDs. 

The Saints Defense has 11 INTs on the season. 

Last year, the Chargers came one game shy of the CCS Open Division championship. In 2021, the Chargers claimed a Northern California championship.