Pride Slays the Knights in Quarterfinals
Nov 21, 2024 09:19AM ● By Alejandro Barron
Nathan Zeppieri escapes four defenders to score a touchdown in Bradshaw Christian’s quarterfinal matchup at home against Ripon Christian on Nov. 15. Zeppieri rushed for 162 yards for two touchdowns. Photo by Alejandro Barron
ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Despite having a bye week in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs, the Bradshaw Christian Pride showed no rust in their quarterfinal matchup against the Ripon Christian Knights.
The matchup took place at the Pride’s home field on Nov. 15 where they slayed the Knights by a score of 55-7 to move on to the semifinals in convincing fashion.
“I thought we hit on all cylinders tonight. We were really ready to go. The kids were focused. I told them they played well on all three aspects. Offense and defense especially was really well,” head coach Drew Rickert said.
High-scoring offense and lights-out defense is something common for the Pride as they have outscored their opponents 455-90 this season.
In league play, the Pride’s defense surrendered an average of 2.1 points per game and was the lowest average of all the teams in the section and they continued to perform against the Knights.
“Our defense played lights out tonight. We made some subs so some of our kids came in and they gave up a score on a pass and that happens, but it's a great experience for them and that's how they get better, but our game plan was executed,” Rickert said.
A key difference for Rickert was having senior defensive end and team captain Devyn McDonald II back on defense after missing some time where he made five total tackles and a sack.
The leader in total tackles in this quarterfinal matchup was junior Samuel Danilyuk with 12.
The offense also fired on all cylinders like Rickert said, and one player who put the offense on his back to take an early lead was senior Mateo Mojica who rushed for 137 yards for three touchdowns.
“It feels good but my touchdowns are my lineman’s touchdowns and our defense was outstanding today,” Mojica said.
Mojica shows his leadership skill when acknowledging his lineman and leadership is something Rickert recognizes from him.
“He’s one heck of a ballplayer. He’s our leader offensively or defensively. He’s who gets us going. He runs the ball unbelievably well and plays a great middle linebacker as he had a pick today. He just does it all and he’s a huge player for us,” Rickert said.
Heading into this match Mojica had 1,109 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns while also putting up 81 total tackles which ranks second among the team.
Mojica started to get the ball less and less as the score ran up or else who knows what kind of numbers he would’ve put up. The ball started to get handed off to senior Nathan Zeppieri who rushed for 162 yards for two touchdowns.
He also made 11 total tackles and an interception on defense.
Although the Pride mainly stayed on the ground in this game, senior quarterback Ethan Rickert completed four passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns which were completed to senior Brandon Burden and McDonald II.
Even with the convincing win, Rickert recognizes there’s always something to improve on.
“We could always get better. We know at Bradshaw that there’s tougher games coming and these kids are humble enough to know that they have to get better. If we keep playing the way we’re playing now we won’t win down the line,” Rickert said.
The Pride’s perfect season continues: They are now 11-0 and part of that success can be attributed to the chemistry among this senior group, Rickert said.
“They’ve been playing since they were 10 together and they enjoy each other. It’s genuine fun, they like to practice, they love to be with each other including playing together and they know their ins and outs so that really helps,” Rickert said.
Mojica is one of the 14 seniors who form this chemistry between the current senior class.
“We’ve been playing together since we were in elementary or middle school. It’s not so much talking, but it’s looking at each other and knowing exactly what’s happening. We don’t even have to say anything but we’re big on communicating,” Mojica said.
The Pride’s next test are the No. 4 seed Linden Lions who currently hold a 9-2 record and also pummeled their quarterfinal opponent in the Orestimba Warriors by a score of 47-0 after also having a bye week in the first round.
“Not too much yet (on his knowledge of the Linden Lions) but a big passing team but we’re just going to move on to next week like it’s another day in the office,” Mojica said.
The semifinals matchup between the Pride and the Lions will take place at Bradshaw Christian on Nov. 22 (after press time) with a chance to move on to the section championship game, where the Pride last season came up just short.
“We saw them on film and we’ll have to come up with a good game plan, but they're a solid team and they throw the ball really well so we're going to have to be on it and definitely on our A game,” Rickert said.
