Piedmont Hills Falls 38-10 to Balboa in NorCal 7-A Championship

URGENT UPDATE: The Piedmont Hills football team’s journey for a state title ended abruptly on November 25, 2023, with a decisive 38-10 loss to Balboa in the NorCal regional 7-A championship game held in San Francisco.

In a stunning conclusion to their playoff run, Piedmont Hills saw their eight-game winning streak dissolve, finishing the season with a record of 10-4 under new head coach Kelly King Jr.. The team had previously celebrated their first Central Coast Section title in 15 years.

Balboa, now with a record of 11-2, dominated the field, led by their formidable running back Mekai Smith, who scored three touchdowns, pushing his season total to an impressive 49 touchdowns. King remarked on Smith’s physicality, comparing him to renowned running backs he faced in previous coaching roles.

The Buccaneers opened the game explosively, scoring on their first play from scrimmage to take an early 6-0 lead. Piedmont Hills quickly responded with a powerful 70-yard run by senior Alijah Torres, only for Torres to suffer a hamstring injury on the play, sidelining him for the remainder of the game. The drive culminated in a 30-yard field goal by Cash Martinez, narrowing the gap to 6-3.

However, Balboa quickly regained momentum, extending their lead to 20-3 after an interception return for a touchdown and a 19-yard run by Smith. Piedmont Hills managed to cut the deficit before halftime with a 61-yard touchdown pass from John Palomo to Diego Arias, making it 20-10.

The second half shifted dramatically, with Balboa dominating despite facing 19 penalties for a total of 202 yards. Piedmont Hills struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm, especially as Palomo left the game due to a head injury after a series of hard hits. He was replaced by wide receiver Travis Linane, further complicating their attempts to mount a comeback.

Defensively, Josiah Oliver made notable contributions for the Pirates with a sack and a tackle for loss, alongside teammate Diego Casanova, who added another sack. Coach King acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, stating, “They took it to us up front. We didn’t get it done. We’ll get in the weight room and try to duplicate our success next year.”

This loss marks a pivotal moment for Piedmont Hills, highlighting both the growth under King’s leadership and the challenges that await in the upcoming seasons. As the team reflects on a remarkable journey, fans and players alike are left eager for the future.