The Dublin High Varsity Football team engaged in a back-and-forth affair with perennial powerhouse Campolindo before dropping a 38-28 decision in the North Coast Section Division II 1st Round on November 12th.
Dublin got off to a fast start with a 90-yard kickoff return by Brandon Burns to open the contest, but Campolindo quickly struck back with a 63-yard touchdown of its own to even the score at 7-7 less than three minutes into the game. The Gaels went back on top later in the quarter after T.J. Costello made a one-handed catch to put Dublin on the 4-yard, following it up on the next play with a touchdown run to put Dublin back on top 14-7. The Cougars responded with another touchdown, and the teams were knotted at 14-14 after the opening quarter.
Campolindo jumped on top 21-14 before Anthony Armendariz had two big completions to even the score, connecting with Burns on a 40-yard pass to put the Gaels in scoring territory and then finding Burns again for a 20-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 21-21 with 2:36 left in the first half. The Cougars were able to quickly drive down and score before the end of the half and then scored again on their first play from scrimmage in the second half to open up a 35-21 lead. Costello had a 37-yard reception followed by a 6-yard touchdown run to bring the Gaels within a score, but the Cougars drove down for a field goal near the end of the third quarter and then held the ball for nearly the entire 12 minutes of the game to seal the win.
Despite the loss, it was encouraging for the football program to return to postseason action after a 4-year hiatus. The Junior Varsity team had a winning season, and with several key returners coming back the program is poised for continued success.
