The Encinal High football team completed an undefeated regular season with a 57-7 thrashing of San Lorenzo Friday, Nov. 3, on the road.

The Rebels were no match for the Jets’ high-powered offense led by senior quarterback Theori Oliver. Oliver accounted for five of the Jets’ eight touchdowns in the contest. He threw for two scores and ran for three more. The Jets’ offense faced little resistance from the Rebels. 

Encinal amassed more than 200 yards passing and rushing. Oliver went 12-for-15 passing for 264 yards. Seniors David Hamilton and Kenden Robinson Jr. caught Oliver’s two touchdown passes — Robinson’s touchdown came on an 80-yard play. The Jets as a whole rushed for 204 yards on just 16 carries. Taj Banks, Xavion Barbers and Abdul Holland each scored a rushing touchdown in the game. The 57 points was the Encinal’s second-largest scoring output of the season (64-13 over Washington of Fremont Aug. 26). 

The defense also showed up big in the game. The Jets forced three turnovers in the beat down. Hamilton and Robinson made their presence known on the defensive side with an interception apiece. Sophomore linebacker Jezsaiah Naigulevu forced a fumble that was recovered by Encinal senior Cayleb Keele. The Jets sacked Rebel quarterbacks three times in the regular season finale.

The Jets led 20-0 at the half. The Rebels’ lone touchdown came in the third quarter when quarterback Laron Flippin scored on a quarterback keep.
The Jets finished the regular season 10-0 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the West Alameda County Conference (WACC) Shoreline League. The Jets won the league title for the second year in a row.

The victory was the Jets’ final tune-up before the North Coast Section (NCS) Div. III playoffs. The Jets were awarded the seven seed in the 16-team playoffs. They will play Analy of Sebastopol in the first round Saturday, Nov. 11, at Stargell Field.

Last year the Jets made it to the quarterfinal before losing to the eventual Div. III winner Bishop O’Dowd, 28-0.

Alameda
The Alameda High football team lost its season finale 49-26 to Hayward last Friday, on the road. The Hornets could not stop the Farmers’ rushing attack as Hayward rushed for more than 400 yards in the match up. Alameda was able to get back in the game early in the third quarter when a touchdown shortened the gap to 27-26 — the Hornets could not convert the extra point. However, the Farmers ended the game on a 22-to-nothing scoring run.

The loss brings the Jets record to 4-6 overall and 3-2 in the WACC Shoreline League. The Hornets finished in a three-way tie in the Shoreline League at 3-2, but because of tiebreakers they finished in fourth place. The Jets started the contest in second place in the league standings, but the loss to Hayward and Mt. Eden of Hayward’s win over Arroyo of San Lorenzo pushed the Hornets to fourth in the league’s final standing. 

The Hornets still qualified for the 16-team NCS Div. II playoffs as a 13 seed. They will play Livermore on the road tomorrow in the first round.

Last year the Hornets lost in the first round to Ukiah, 19-12.