BREAKING: The Redwood High football team’s playoff dreams came to a crushing halt as they suffered a 20-0 defeat against the Miramonte Matadors in the North Coast Section Division IV semifinals in Orinda last night. Despite relentless efforts, the Giants (6-6) could not convert scoring opportunities, ending their season in disappointment.
In a game marked by missed chances, Redwood advanced into Miramonte’s 30-yard line six times but failed to score each time, going 1-for-5 on key fourth-down conversions. The Giants, who had reached the D-IV title game last season, could not find their rhythm, leaving fans heartbroken.
The action kicked off with excitement as Redwood’s quarterback Cash Ward connected with Dylan McGrath for a stunning 50-yard gain to Miramonte’s 25-yard line. However, the drive stalled, setting the tone for the missed opportunities that would follow.
Miramonte quickly capitalized, with quarterback Lane Dalton launching a massive 60-yard pass to Redwood’s 1-yard line, leading to an early touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Redwood struggled to recover, going three-and-out in their next possession, and a costly penalty gifted Miramonte excellent field position.
Matadors kicker James Rogers extended the lead with a 35-yard field goal, bringing the score to 10-0. As the game progressed, Redwood’s offense continued to falter, struggling to maintain momentum and failing to capitalize on crucial plays.
With less than three minutes left in the second quarter, a pivotal play nearly shifted the game’s momentum. A fumble recovery by Redwood was ruled out of bounds, allowing Miramonte to retain possession and score again, pushing the Giants into a daunting 17-0 deficit.
Redwood’s third quarter saw a brief resurgence, highlighted by a strong defensive effort from Wes Fitzpatrick, who recorded two sacks. Despite starting drives at midfield and the Miramonte 32-yard line, the Giants were forced to go for it on fourth down instead of attempting long field goals.
The Giants’ best chance to score came late in the game. After a 41-yard field goal by Rogers gave Miramonte a commanding 20-0 lead, Redwood mounted a significant drive, only to be thwarted once again with an incomplete pass on fourth down.
In a final attempt to break the shutout, Redwood advanced into the red zone one last time, but Miramonte’s Henry Hunt snatched an interception, sealing the shutout and ending Redwood’s hopes for a comeback.
This disappointing end to the season leaves Redwood fans and players reflecting on missed opportunities and what could have been. As the Giants regroup, the focus will shift to next season, hoping to build on the lessons learned from this challenging playoff run.
For now, the Matadors celebrate their victory, advancing to the championship round with momentum on their side. Stay tuned for more updates as the playoffs progress.
