Los Gatos nearly perfect in impressive Open Division win at Serra

SAN MATEO, Calif. — A euphoric Los Gatos football coach Mark Krail looked up at the Serra scoreboard and right past the final score: Los Gatos 28, Serra 0. He noted the inscription "Built by brotherhood."

Krail grinned: "Well today, we showed our brotherhood," he said.

With that, the second-year Los Gatos coach flailed his fist, his team roared in unison and the Wildcats' near perfect day was complete.

A win for the fifth seed and opposing team in the Central Coast Section Open Division opener wasn't out of the question. But a four-touchdown victory and shutout against the West Catholic Athletic League champs and defending Open champs didn't seem plausible.

Two touchdown passes and TD run by impressive senior quarterback Dru Brown and two scores from Joey Wood complemented an absolutely dominant effort a defense that allowed just 151 yards and force four turnovers.

Los Gatos (9-2) advanced to second-round play against top-seed Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton, a 37-13 winner over visiting Oak Grove-San Jose (7-4).

"We talked this morning about a true brotherhood," Krail said. "These guys have known each other since elementary school. I'm very proud of our guys. … I think we proved to the world that Los Gatos belongs in the Open Division."

It was obvious from the start, especially on defense where Serra (7-4) went 3-and-out on its first three possessions. Serra's high-powered running game managed 83 yards on 27 carries and Hunter Bishop hit just 11 of 29 passes for 68 yards and three second-half interceptions.

One by Jake Holton was returned to the Serra 6 and Wood, a 5-foot-10, 225-pound running back, scored on a 1-yard run to make it 28-0 with 6:48 left in the third.

"They just beat us up-front," Serra coach Patrick Walsh said. "They didn't run any different fronts, they just won."

Brown (14 of 23, 181 yards), a 6-foot, 200-pound, evaded Serra's strong rush throughout the first half and found receivers while passing on the run. He baited the defense beautifully on a roll right, throw-left screen to Wood, who rambled 58 yards for a touchdown. That perfectly designed play set the tone and made it 14-0 with 4:52 left in the first.

"Dru was awesome," Krail said. "Dru just did what Dru does."

Said Wood: "We lost our two games by a total of nine points. We knew we could compete with anyone. We just shut down the defending Open champions."

Said Walsh: "I don't know what's worse, losing 28-27 or 28-0. At the end of the day it was Los Gatos' day. I tip my hat to them."

Los Gatos gained 220 of its 274 yards in the first half when it led 21-0. Wood rushed for 73 yards on 20 carries and no one rushed for more than 32 yards for the Padres.

"We knew they were fast and physical," Krail said. "We made some plays early and our defense never buckled. We told them all week, no big plays, and the boys executed."

Did they ever. In the first half, it was a clinic on both sides of the ball.

"They simply executed better," Walsh said. "They didn't drop any passes. they pass protected well. Their defense was great. Wood was fantastic. So was their quarterback. Really, what else can I say? Hats off to them."

Krail couldn't go on enough about Brown, a 6-foot, 200-pounder who has yet to secure a college offer.

"He's been doing this all year long," Krail said. "How that guy doesn't have offers on the table I have no idea. He is a great football player and he's our leader. He's the heart and soul of our offense. He, Joey and our offensive line have been great all year. I can't say enough."

Brown was beside himself after, overwhelmed with joy. He sat last year behind now San Diego State freshman Danny Bawden, but Krail new the Wildcats, the defending CCS Division II champs, were going to be fine without their Division I quarterback.

"It was definitely hard sitting last year, but i learned a lot," Brown said. "It's all worth it at this point. I'm playing for my brothers. I'm just really stoked."