Johnson’s late TD keys historic win
SAN JOSE — From the tailback position, Sobrato senior Drew Johnson twice ran the option with quarterback Patrick Bacciarelli to no avail Friday against Gunderson.
The third time lived up to a certain cliche.
With the final minute winding down, Bacciarelli took the snap from center inside the Grizzlies’ 10-yard line and darted straight ahead, drawing a slew of defenders. He was about to be tackled when he turned outside and saw Johnson wide open.
“I was thinking, ‘now, Batch! Give me the ball!'” Johnson recalled.
The 6-foot-1 190-pound senior QB spun out of a tackle and flipped the ball just in time to Johnson, who sped the final seven yards for the go-ahead score in Sobrato football’s first-ever season-opening victory, 21-14, at Gunderson High School.
It was Johnson’s first career touchdown as well.
“It was just an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “My heart skipped a beat when I saw the ball floating towards me. Nothing was going to stop me from getting in the end zone.”
File it among the biggest touchdowns in program history. In knocking off Gunderson, a team that thumped many of these same Bulldogs 35-7 a year ago, Sobrato (1-0) halved its win total from 2008 and claimed its third victory under Nick Borello.
None has likely been more satisfying.
“It felt great,” the second-year Bulldogs coach said. “We only got to feel that twice last year. It felt really good, but, at the time same, we’ve worked very hard. The coaches and players; we all made the commitment this offseason.”
Bacciarelli scored his team’s other two touchdowns on runs of 15 and 2 yards. Sophomore Obi Mbonu carried six times for 110 yards, including a 60-yard run, and Ralph Jackson rushed for nearly 70 yards for the Bulldogs, who amassed more than 350 yards in total offense.
“We were well prepared for this game,” Johnson said. “It’s a totally different team this year. … We expect to win every game.”
Wearing a cast on his right forearm, Sobrato defensive back Daniel Puna came close to hauling in two interceptions. Linebacker Ryan Brewer made several key tackles for a defense that did just enough to slow Gunderson’s vaunted ground attack.
The Grizzlies (1-1), a former Santa Teresa Division foe, led for most of the game.
“They’re a great team, and I’m sure they’re going to do well this year,” Borello said. “We had to finish this game to beat them. We couldn’t finish last year. This time, the opportunity came and we responded.”
The Bulldogs will play Soquel on Friday before playing host to El Toro Bowl III Sept. 25 against rival Live Oak.
