No. 2 CSM handles No. 8 Laney, 20-8, in Bay 6 opener; 25th win in 26 league outings

Unbeaten College of San Mateo rolled to a 20-0 halftime lead and took care of challenger Laney College, 20-8, in the Bay 6 League football opener Saturday afternoon at College Heights Stadium.

Quarterback Richie Watts threw a 24-yard TD pass to Brendan Doyle in the first quarter and Ezra Moleni ran ten yards to complete CSM's first drive of the second quarter for a 14-0 advantage. Gabe Plascencia added field goals of 21 and 33 yards before Laney got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter with its only touchdown.

San Mateo (6-0 overall) held the Eagles (4-2) to minus 10 yards rushing and 33 total net yards in the first half – while the Bulldogs rolled for 252 yards. San Mateo finished with a 331-180 total offense advantage.

Bay 6 rushing leader Moleni paced CSM with 131 yards on 21 carries. He is averaging nearly 100 yards a game (98.2) and has scored eight touchdowns (leading all National Division players, through Saturday afternoon).Watts completed 12 of 26 passes for 156 yards.

It was CSM's 25th victory in the last 26 league outings. The lone loss was in the 2021 league finale -- 31-27, to City College of San Francisco -- which prevented a 5-peat by the Bulldogs. CCSF went onto win NorCal, State, and mythical national titles.

CSM is top-ranked in Northern California and No. 2 in the state, behind Riverside City College. The Bulldogs  remain the lone National (state championship) Division unbeaten in the region. No. 8 Laney lost for only the second time.  

San Francisco (4-2), No. 11 in the state, won its opener, 44-17, at San Joaquin Delta.

Sophomore linebacker Malik Johnson (a Menlo-Atherton grad) led the Bulldogs defense with ten tackles (seven solo) – including 5.5 tackles for loss. Freshman linebacker Fynn Williams (Serra) had seven tackles (six solo). Soph linebacker Taniela Latu (Serra) added five solo tackles (two for losses). Grabbing key pass interceptions were defensive backs Sione Laulea (Serra) and Justin Sinclair (St. Francis).

--CSM next visits No. 14 Diablo Valley College on Friday (Oct. 21) at 6.m. in Pleasant Hill.