Transformation complete! Galileo goes from worst to Turkey Day first

“Walk away from that stuff,” he yelled. “Buckle down. Stay disciplined. Just play football.”

The exchange had little to do with Galileo’s thoroughly dominated 35-0 victory over four-time defending champion Lincoln in the 86th Turkey Day Game before about 3,500 fans at Kezar Stadium Thursday.

But it had everything to do with the greatest turnaround in San Francisco Section history.

Losers of 18 straight coming into the season and 28 of 29, the Lions (9-3) rocketed straight to the top in one magical season thanks to the leadership and all-around play of quarterback Dylan Nelson, a potent, balanced running game and a sturdy, sound defense, all which were in vivid purple and white display while claiming their record 16th section crown, but first since 2001.

Galileo celebrates a San Francisco Section title no one thought possible before this season.

Photo by Matt Cohn

Elusive running back Quincy Nelson (no relation) rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown and bullish fullback Pat Ale added 100 yards and two more scores.

The defense, led by 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive end Jovesa Cakau, gave up just 183 yards, including 82 rushing on 21 carries by Eric Beverly, who came in with more than 1,500 and 20 scores.

More important, the Lions kept him and all his teammates out of the end zone, no small feat considering the Mustangs had averaged almost 40 points over their last five games.  

But under first-year coach Huynh and his no-nonsense staff, Galileo has been bucking long odds all season. This was an almost perfect culmination and ultimate illustration of what the Lions have done all season.

Now Galileo sits atop all San Francisco public schools for Turkey Day titles, breaking a tie with defunct Poly which also had 15 crowns. 

Galileo QB Dylan Nelson was the best player on the field.

Photo by Matt Cohn

“From top to bottom, this was our best game of the season.”

Huynh, who won two Turkey Day Games for Galileo as a player, said this was far more satisfying.

“It was all the players,” he said. “We just needed to convince them not to accept losing. They weren’t losers. They were winners. And they showed it every day since the last day of last season.”

Lincoln, trying to become the first to win five straight Turkey Day Games, challenged Galileo’s mental edge by playing smashmouth early. The Mustangs (6-7) won field position early and held Galileo without a first down until Quincy Nelson ripped off a 35-yard run early in the second quarter.

Three plays later on 4^th-and-9, Dylan Nelson found Wilson running absolutely free down the left sideline for a 29-yard touchdown, making it 7-0 with 10:04 left in the half.

“I couldn’t believe he was that open,” Dylan Nelson said. “I kind of tensed up and didn’t throw it great, but it got there.”

Just before the half, the Lions went 87 yards in 12 plays, capped with a 16-yard TD strike from Nelson to Wilson, making it 14-0 with 27 seconds left.

When Galileo recovered an onside kick to start the second half, and Quincy Nelson rambled 22 yards for a touchdown three minutes later, this one was essentially over.

Lincoln coach Phil Ferrigno was gracious in defeat.

He took over the Mustangs eight seasons ago when the program was also at a low point and has turned it into the benchmark for all Academic Athletic Association football teams. 

Ferrigno and his staff gave Huynh and the Lions something to shoot for and aspire.  

“We have nothing to be ashamed of,” Ferrigno said. “Getting here five straight years is fantastic. I take my hats off to (Huynh) and his kids for what they have accomplished this year. They were definitely the better team today.”

Said Ale: “I think we’re all kind of speechless. The season. This game. All we’ve accomplished. Our coaches laid out a plan and we just did it. It feels incredible. We’ll never forget it.”