After a dominating 24-7 win over San Ramon Valley in the semi-finals on Dec. 4, Cal is preparing for a final push for the section title.

“This is the dream,” said quarterback Drew Reil. As a kid you throw the football in the backyard, and you set up these situations to go to the championship. I just lived it. I just can’t get enough, I’m loving
every minute of it.”

Cal flashed some special teams trickery to help in their victory over the Wolves. What looked to be a chip-shot field goal for all league kicker Guillermo Rivas, turned into an 8-yard run by junior Jerrell Dunn for a touchdown.

From that point the momentum was on the Grizzlies’ side, and that never changed.

San Ramon could not stop the Grizzly rushing attack, with Cal’s backfield racking up 184 yards, led by senior running back Kyle Alvarez, who ran for 61 yards on only 15 attempts.

Cal defense also stepped up its game. In the game’s first play, San Ramon quarterback Zach Kline was sacked, and throughout the whole game the Wolves only rushed for 15 yards.

When the game ended, the entire team rushed from the sides. After the customary handshakes with the opposing team the entire Grizzly team went crazy.

“I can’t even put it into words. We are going all the way. We are in the big dance,” said Coach Billeci.

This was Cal High’s record setting 12th win, but the Grizzlies’ biggest challenge will come this weekend when they face off against the Spartans.

Just like three years ago, the Grizzlies are playing DLS in the Oakland Coliseum with the NCS championship on the line. But this time, they hope to not repeat their 37-0 loss from 2007.

Already this season, the Grizzlies have proved they stand a fighting chance against the Spartans, having lost 31-17 on Nov.12 against them.

The game came down to the fourth quarter, when the Grizzlies were down 23-17. They were left with no choice but to go for the onside kick, but because of a controversial high school rule, DLS got the ball back. They scored, to seal the Grizzlies’ fate.

The Grizzlies look forward to their rematch against De La Salle this Saturday.