UPDATE: Bishop O’Dowd has just captured the CIF 5-AA NorCal title, defeating Chico 23-20 in a nail-biting showdown on Friday night. The Dragons, traveling nearly three hours to play in Chico, showcased grit and determination, culminating in a pivotal fourth-down sack of quarterback John Bernardez with just 90 seconds remaining.
The victory is significant for O’Dowd, marking a return to glory reminiscent of their last regional championship win nine years ago. The Dragons’ junior running back Lamar Ellis electrified the crowd, scoring two crucial touchdowns and setting the stage for O’Dowd’s upcoming battle for a state championship title against Christian-El Cajon next week.
In a dramatic start, Ellis put O’Dowd ahead with a 17-yard touchdown run, following a deep pass from quarterback Christian Cermenelli-Johnson to wide receiver Jess Brown. Although the opening PAT was blocked, the Dragons maintained momentum. However, Chico responded swiftly with a touchdown pass from Bernardez to Jake Detmer, securing a 7-6 lead.
O’Dowd regained the lead thanks to a 24-yard field goal from Zach Brien, pushing the score to 9-7 at halftime. The second half saw Chico surge ahead with a touchdown run from Bernardez, but O’Dowd countered immediately. Just seconds later, Trevor Erickson returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, flipping the score to 16-14.
The tension peaked in the fourth quarter as Ellis delivered a jaw-dropping run, weaving through defenders for a touchdown that extended O’Dowd’s lead to 23-14. Despite a late surge from Chico, who pulled within three points, O’Dowd’s defense held firm, sealing their victory with a game-ending sack.
As the Dragons celebrate this hard-fought championship, they set their sights on a state title, aiming to replicate the success of their 2016 team. This victory not only underscores O’Dowd’s resilience but also highlights the thrilling nature of high school football, drawing fans and alumni back into the fold as they prepare for the next challenge.
Stay tuned for more updates as Bishop O’Dowd gears up for their state title face-off!
