SAN RAMON — It was a victory formation seven years in the making.
No. 8 California (7-0, 1-0) defeated No. 7 San Ramon Valley (5-3, 1-1) for the first time since 2018, an emphatic wire-to-wire 33-14 victory that saw the Grizzlies dominate every facet of the game.
“It’s just a testament to our coaching staff and the kids, just the work that they’ve been putting in during the offseason,” said head coach Danny Calcagno.
“We were being doubted this whole time and it just fueled us,” said senior quarterback Arjun Banerjee. “It just fueled us even more.”
Banerjee and the rest of his teammates were well aware of California’s drought against San Ramon Valley heading into Friday night’s marquee matchup.
Almost exactly seven years ago, California dramatically defeated San Ramon Valley 21-17 on Oct. 12, 2018 when quarterback Matt McCreary found wide receiver Jahmal Cornwell for a 19-yard touchdown with 39.3 seconds remaining.
The Grizzlies would then drop their next seven games against the Wolves over the next six seasons from 2019-24, the average margin of defeat being 13.3 points. That includes when San Ramon Valley cruised to a 35-7 victory over California in the North Coast Section Open/Division I playoffs.
Banerjee was under center for both losses last year against the Wolves, combining to complete 14-of-30 passes for 255 yards with two touchdowns to three interceptions. On this night, by contrast, Banerjee turned in a masterpiece by completing 12-of-14 passes for 274 yards, his lone touchdown being a perfectly-placed deep ball to junior Darius Brown for a 52-yard score.
“Did he have an incompletion? Maybe one?” asked senior Henry Dupin. “He’s money. He’s ice cold. Nothing bothers him. I think that’s his biggest strength. I think he throws the ball all right, too.”
Banerjee, who also scrambled for 43 yards, was only one of a laundry list of contributors on a night where California fired on all cylinders.
Dupin not only nailed a pair of field goals from 34 and 37 yards but was responsible for one of the Grizzlies’ two forced fumbles. Running back Jordan Lee, who entered play averaging 97.2 rushing yards, totaled three touchdowns and 58 all-purpose yards. Lee helped set the tone for evening on the second play of the game, trucking a San Ramon Valley defender for a six-yard gain that got his sideline buzzing.
“I love that guy,” Banerjee said of Lee. “He’s my favorite. He’s a calm, collected guy, and he just loves the game. He loves playing football, and he loves hitting. That’s why I freaking love that guy. And shoutout to all my linemen, they played wonderful today.”
“What we’ve been preaching is we’re not going to worry about the other team,” Calcagno said. “They’re going to do what they do. We’re going to prepare for them, but it’s what we’re doing. We have to take care of ourselves.”
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California and San Ramon Valley effectively entered the second quarter tied at seven apiece. The Grizzlies scored a touchdown on their first possession of the game on Lee’s one-yard score, but the Wolves notched things up on the first play of the second quarter when junior quarterback Cole Dawes found senior wide receiver Max Lianides for a 13-yard touchdown.
From there, the Grizzlies took over the ballgame and rattled off 26 unanswered points, taking advantage of numerous miscues by the Wolves. San Ramon Valley would not score again until 32.6 seconds remained in regulation.
“We’re not a team to be messed with,” Banerjee said.
