#1 CSM blanks Modesto; to host #3 ARC Sat noon for NorCal title

Following a convincing 30-0 shutout of visiting Modesto JC, top seed College of San Mateo will host the Northern California finals in the California Community College Athletic Association football playoffs on Saturday, Dec. 3, at noon against NorCal League champion American River College. CSM won an earlier non-league game at ARC, 24-14, the last team to defeat the Beavers before their "perfect" 5-0 league run to gain the No. 3 NorCal seed. American River eliminated No. 2 Laney, the Bay 6 League co-champ (with CSM), 43-21, in the other regional semi, in Oakland, on Saturday.

The north winner will host the CCCAA state championship game on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 10 -- against the winner of the Southern Calif. title game between Riverside City College (11-0) and Fullerton (10-1).

Ezra Moleni rushed for 163 yards on 25 carries to surpass 1,000 yards for the season and rise to No. 5 on the all-time season list with 1,057 yards. That list is headed by Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, who, in 2005, rushed for 1,253 yards – a target within reach if the Bulldogs get two more playoff games.

Moleni, the Bay 6 League offensive player of the year, also scored a state national-leading 14th rushing touchdown in the third quarter against Modesto that put the Bulldogs firmly in control at 20-0.

Returning all-state placekicker Gabe Plascencia had 12 points to become CSM's top career kickscorer with 176 points and 23 field goals. He had field goals of 34, 28, and 29 yards and kept his season PAT record perfect (50/50) with three conversion kicks. Previous records were 168 kicking points by Justin Watts in 2014 and 2017 and 20 field goals by Gil Hernandez in 2005-6.

CSM's all-Bay 6 quarterback Richie Watts completed 20 of 25 passes for 228 yards (to surpass 2,000 for the season) and two touchdowns. He has completed 154 of 227 passes (67.8 percent) for 2,046 yards and 19 touchdowns – with a 170.3 collegiate efficiency rating (No. 3 in the state). His completion percentage is No. 2 among the state's ranking signal callers.

Watts started with a 12-play opening drive that took 8 minutes and 28 seconds for the only points the Bulldogs needed – on a 6-yard toss to Jayden Dixon-Veal. San Mateo controlled time of possession, 42:08 to 16:28.

Watts also had a 20-yard scoring pass to Jeremiah Patterson for an early fourth quarter 27-0 advantage. Patterson leads CSM season receivers with 33 cathes for 324 yards and four TDs.

San Mateo had to punt only once on the day, although the Bulldogs have the north's most effective kicker in Caleb Ojeda, with a 40.4 season average.

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--Fred Baer, CSM Sports Information