UPDATE: Bishop O’Dowd has just secured the North Coast Section Division VI championship with a commanding 59-21 victory over Fortuna Saturday afternoon at Moreau Catholic High School. This marks O’Dowd’s first title in seven years, a remarkable turnaround after starting the season with a 1-3 record.
The Dragons, led by standout junior running back Lamar Ellis, celebrated their triumph with exuberance, dousing head coach Hardy Nickerson with Gatorade and proudly displaying their championship trophy. Ellis was a force on the field, rushing for 186 yards and scoring five touchdowns, including three in the first quarter alone.
“I’m feeling great,” Ellis exclaimed after the game. “We got the win as a team. We came a long way. We were doubted at the start. Started off 1-3, and now look at us.”
Despite their dominant performance, Fortuna, traveling from 275 miles away, fought back hard, narrowing the gap to 31-21 with a stunning 93-yard kickoff return touchdown by Michael Shaw at the start of the second half. However, O’Dowd quickly responded, with Ellis scoring again just under a minute into the third quarter, pushing the lead to 38-21.
“Unbelievable,” Nickerson praised Ellis. “He’s done it every week. Just a fantastic player. He was ready.”
O’Dowd continued to dominate, making a crucial fourth-down stop before quickly adding another touchdown. Junior quarterback Christian Cermenelli-Johnson showcased his skills with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Edwards, further extending the lead to 45-21.
Edwards, known for his electrifying play, added to the excitement by scoring on a 60-yard punt return, demonstrating the team’s depth and talent. “Even though we had Thanksgiving, we still came, showed out, balled out,” Edwards remarked. “We’re too good.”
With this victory, Bishop O’Dowd finishes the season with a record of 9-4 and sets its sights on the upcoming CIF NorCal regionals, with matchups to be announced on Sunday. The young roster, featuring multiple talented juniors, promises to keep O’Dowd in the spotlight as they aim for further success.
This championship win is not just a moment of glory but a testament to the hard work and resilience of the Dragons, who overcame early-season doubts to reach the pinnacle of their division.
