Prep football: Pittsburg shows off its talent, routs Freedom – East Bay Times

Pittsburg coach Victor Galli sounded a little concerned over the phone this week. His team was unable to scrimmage last weekend, not ideal given that its opponent Friday night played a real game.

But when you have a roster as loaded as Pittsburgs, there really is no need to worry, even a little.

In a matchup against Freedom on Friday night, the Bay Area News Groups second-ranked team charged to a 17-point lead in the first seven minutes and cruised to a 59-14 victory on its home field in Bay Valley Athletic League play.

It was a little sloppy at times, but the first game in a year and a half, dont have too much to complain about, Galli said. The little cushion let us play through some mistakes. I am just grateful to be back playing and getting some kind of a season for the seniors. Our next game at home will be a Senior Night.

Galli said he hopes his team gets to the finish line.

The season is going to be over in less than a month. In four weeks, its over, he said. I just want everybody to stay safe and keep social distancing and washing their hands so we can finish this thing.

Matthew Quesadas punt return for a touchdown started the eruption of points. A safety padded the lead to 10-0 and a fumble recovery in the end zone made it 17-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter. PITTSBURG, CA MARCH 19: Pittsburg Highs Matthew Quesada (11) gets past Freedom Highs Xavier Solis (19) before running a punt return in for a touchdown in the first quarter of their football game in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, March 19, 2021. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

When sophomore Jaden Rashada threw a touchdown pass to Lamont Fortenberry early in the second quarter, Pittsburg led 24-0. Rashada is the younger of the two touted quarterbacks to transfer to Pittsburg since the Pirates last played 15 months ago.

The older half of the duo, senior Eli Brickhandler, threw a touchdown pass later in the quarter as Pittsburg took a 38-7 lead into halftime.

Galli called both players starters this week and said theyd share snaps, which they did. Brickhandler, who played previously at Whitney in Rocklin, made the official start Friday.

Pittsburg led 52-14 after the third quarter and added another touchdown when Rashada threw a 10-yard pass to Will Stallings to widen the gap to 59-14. PITTSBURG, CA MARCH 19: Pittsburg High quarterback Jaden Rashada (5) passes the ball in the third quarter of their football game against Freedom High in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, March 19, 2021. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Galli said both quarterbacks did some really good things. Obviously, there were some imperfections. But for the most part, we were happy with the way they played and they both know they can do better. But they both had pretty good games and did some really good things.

Freedom, which lost last week to Campolindo 27-23, scored its only first-half points Friday when Les Callen threw a touchdown pass to Vince Nunley. Xavier Solis returned an interception for a touchdown in the second half for the Falcons (0-2).

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Prep football: Pittsburg shows off its talent, routs Freedom - East Bay Times