De La Salle knocks off El Cerrito: Live updates recap

De La Salle, reeling from learning of the passing of longtime line coach Steve Jacoby earlier in the day, defeats previously unbeaten Gauchos in big Bay Area showdown

It was a very odd week for both the football teams at De La Salle and El Cerrito football teams. 

Both had Friday night games cancelled — De La Salle with Foothill-Pleasanton and El Cerrito with Hercules — so the Spartans and Gauchos decided to play a Week 8 game in Concord. 

Things turned tragic for De La Salle, when Thursday night longtime offensive line coach Steve Jacoby died suddenly. He was feeling a little ill toward the middle of the week, according to coaches. 

The Spartans gathered early Friday, spent the morning grieving and honoring their popular coach, but ultimately voted to play the game. 

De La Salle slugged out a 31-0 lead early in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 31-12 victory. 

Here are live updates from the game, as the Spartans won their sixth straight game to improve to 6-2. They are ranked ranked 18th in the state by SBLive Sports. El Cerrito (7-1) was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten. The Gauchos are No. 8 in the Northern California Coast rankings.

A pair of turnovers did in El Cerrito, which gave up just 236 yards to the Spartans. Behind the passing combination of Michael Vanhook (15 of 20, 178 yards, two touchdowns) to Washington State-bound Kamani Jackson (8 catches, 96 yards, one touchdown).  

Read updates through all four quarters.  

• WATCH EL CERRITO AT DE LA SALLE ON NFHS

FOURTH QUARTER UPDATES

De La Salle 31, El Cerrito 0: Derrick Blanche 1-yard touchdown run. 9:07, 4Q. 

De La Salle 31, El Cerrito 6: Michael Vanhook 24-yard touchdown pass to Zion Shelton. Extra point blocked. 6 plays, 80 yards. A 35-yard pass from Vanhook to Kamani Jackson sets up TD. 

De La Salle 31, El Cerrito 12. After recovering an onside kick, Vanhook completes 18-yard touchdown to Washington State-bound Kamani Jackson. 4:01, 4Q. 

THIRD QUARTER UPDATES

De La Salle 24, El Cerrito 0: Toa Faavae 1-yard TD sneak on 4th down. 8 play, 77-yard drive. 7:54 3Q. A 35-yard run by Jaden Jefferson sets up score. 

End of quarter.

SECOND QUARTER UPDATES

De La Salle 10, El Cerrito 0: Finn Sepic 42-yard field goal, 2:20 2Q. A 20-yard punt return by Guerrero sets up score. A 13-yard TD run by Toa Faavae wiped out by a chop block.

Finn Sepic career best 42-yard FG, De La Salle 10, El Cerrito 0. 2:20 2Q pic.twitter.com/dPwFrhB2bG

— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) October 21, 2023

De La Salle 17, El Cerrito 0: Sack by DJ Asiasi, forces fumble, linebacker Drew Cunningham picks up fumble and runs it for touchdown from 19 yards out. 

Drew Cunningham with 19-yard scoop and score. De La Salle 17, El Cerrito 0. 1:16 2Q. pic.twitter.com/HbRw5xbxAO

— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) October 21, 2023

De La Salle 17, El Cerrito 0: Halftime

Total yards: De La Salle 91, El Cerrito 87

FIRST QUARTER UPDATES

De La Salle 7, El Cerrito 0: Toa Faavae 60-yard touchdown pass to wide open Johnathan Guerrero. 10:27, 1Q. First offensive play for De La Salle. 

PREGAME

It is with great sorrow we are mourning the death of my friend, Steve Jacoby. I coached with him for many years and loved coaching with him. He made football fun, he loved the kids and I’ll miss him. I’ll miss his jokes, his smile, and his friendship. Rest in peace my friend.

— Coach Bob Ladouceur (@CoachLadouceur) October 20, 2023