12 Nov Fourth-Year Salesian High Football Players Lead Senior Day Win

Salesian Prep senior Joseph Tarin, left, kicks up turf pellets as he breaks down for an open field tackle during the Pride’s 34-14 win Saturday over Pinole Valley High.

Story and photos by Joe Porrello

Salesian College Preparatory’s Pride closed out its regular season Saturday in Richmond with a decisive 34-14 win over the Pinole Valley Spartans on Senior Day, powered by strong performances from its fourth-year players.

Coming in at 8-1, Salesian remained undefeated (5-0) at home with the victory against 5-4 Pinole.

“We all wanted it and knew we couldn’t come out with (a loss) on Senior Day, so we had to come through with (the win),” said Salesian senior Joseph Tarin.

 

Hundreds of supporters and family members packed the stands, many part of the pregame festivities honoring the Pride’s seniors in their final regular season home game.

“There’s a lot of emotions when you’re walking out (onto the field) with your family,” said Chad Nightingale, the Pride head coach of over two decades.

 

Salesian turned that emotion into momentum, scoring on the opening drive with a touchdown reception from senior Carlton Perrilliat.

On defense the following possession, Perrilliat had a fumble recovery touchdown negated due to a late hit penalty on the return. Still forcing a three-and-out Spartans punt, the Pride used some play call trickery to notch their second touchdown on a hook and ladder run from senior Isaiah Latigue.

 

Senior Salesian kicker Roberto Mora made his second extra point, making the score 14-0. Mora made all four of his extra points and both field goal attempts to finish second on the team in scoring.

After another quick Pinole Valley three-and-out punt, the Pride again scored on a trick play, this time using a double pass that ended with Tarin throwing a touchdown from his receiver position to Perrilliat for his second of the first quarter.

 

“My teammates allowed me to make those plays — my teammates gave me those openings,” said Perrilliat.

Following three straight Spartan drives without a first down and a trio of consecutive Pride touchdowns, Salesian senior Obatare Ojo set his team up in the red zone with a catch of about 50 yards before they stalled in the red zone after having another touchdown called back for a penalty. The Pride settled for a field goal, giving them a 24-point edge.

 

Pinole Valley finally got a first down in the second quarter via a bobbled catch, but almost immediately, Tarin intercepted a pass. With some backups then getting a chance to play early, Salesian failed to score for the first time all game on a drive ending in a turnover on downs.

 

Trying to score before halftime, the Spartans had a fumble returned for a Salesian touchdown by Tarin on the final play of the quarter.

After the Pride kicked a field goal on their first drive of the second half to make the score 34-0, they didn’t score again on their last six possessions. Conversely, the Spartans forced two turnovers and scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns to cut the deficit to 20, where it stayed.

“I think we came out with good energy; everyone was happy and excited to play. We just have to figure out how to finish four quarters with good energy,” said Perrilliat.

 

Pride senior Brycen Landry sealed the win with an interception.

The 20-point margin of victory was modest for a Salesian team that won their previous four games by an average of 34 points. Their last two games against the Spartans both ended in 49-point wins, with Pinole Valley last winning the matchup over three years ago.

The Pride now enter the playoffs riding a three-game win streak, while the Spartans ended their season on a pair of defeats. Pinole Valley lost their previous game to Tri-County-Rock League leading El Cerrito High, who handed Salesian their only loss this season.

Ten seniors played in their final high school football game for the Spartans, who finished fifth out of six teams in the TCR standings and finished 5-5 for the second straight year. It was the team’s first campaign in seven seasons without multiple league wins and they played only three of their 10 games at home — finishing with a winning road record at 4-3 despite the loss Saturday.

 

For Salesian, the win finished off a seventh consecutive winning record for a team with only two losing records in over two decades.

The 13 Pride seniors will try to extend their season in the first round at home against Northgate High of Walnut Creek (5-5) on Nov. 15.

“Any time you have an opportunity to play an extra game, you simply need to take advantage of it,” said Nightingale.

Tarin says he and some of his fellow seniors have been friends since preschool, making the win extra and a chance to play at least one more game together, that much more meaningful.

“It’s going to be wonderful to go out there for a couple last times and hopefully get a ring,” he said.