With their 34-0 win over Cupertino on Friday, the Wilcox Chargers put the cherry on top of an undefeated regular season (10-0, 6-0). It is the first time the school has finished undefeated in over 35 years.
“We went undefeated for the first time in a long time,” noted Chargers Head Coach Paul Rosa at Monday’s practice. “The first black and gold Chargers team to do it. The last time was in the late 70s. So we took in the moment after the game and took pictures on the field. I think you have to do things like that when you accomplish something of that magnitude.”
“It was a great feeling to know we accomplished one of our goals as a team and a family,” remarked Chargers senior tailback Gabe Herrera. “It was nice to enjoy that with friends and family, but it’s not our only goal. We knew after that game we could have some fun, but also that we would have to come to practice today ready to work.”
“[Winning De Anza and going undefeated] was exciting, but it’s just on to CCS,” added senior quarterback Alex Adame. “Our goal since January has been to win CCS and go play in state. So that’s what we’re gonna try and do.”
The Chargers are the No. 1 seed in the CCS Open Division I and will host No. 8 seed Piedmont Hills (4-6, 4-3). If the Chargers are able to win the first two rounds of CCS, they will likely face the No. 2 seed Menlo-Atherton for the Championship.
“I think they are the most talented public school in our section,” said coach Rosa on Menlo-Atherton. “They got guys being recruited by Alabama. They supposedly have a plethora of division I guys. They are for real.”
First things first for the Chargers, though, a Piedmont Hills team this Friday, Nov. 9.
“They are a spread team and we haven’t seen a lot of spread teams lately,” noted senior linebacker Robert Padilla. “Palo Alto is the best spread team we have seen this year. So this game is going to be fun, we are looking forward to it.”
“We have film on them, but we don’t know a ton about them since we haven’t played them since I’ve been here,” remarked coach Rosa on Piedmont Hills. “I know they are athletic and have good athletes. They are a playoff team, you’re aren’t going to face any bad teams in the playoffs, should be a solid matchup for us.”
“They are a good team, they are in the playoffs for a reason,” added Herrera. “We have to come prepared, we can’t take them lightly. If we do take them lightly, then it will be just like the Los Gatos game and we don’t want that. We want to win, but also keep the smooth flow we have going on offense.”
After a few injuries throughout the season, the Chargers look to have most of their key guys back healthy for the playoffs. Starting offensive tackles Osiris Niko and Scott Smith are back after missing time with injuries late in the season.
As the No. 1 seed Wilcox will be hosting Piedmont Hills in the playoff opener. The kickoff on Friday is slated for 7 p.m.
