De La Salle’s 33rd straight North Coast Section title championship game win might very well have been it’s toughest.

And those who watching Pittsburg run up and down the field most of the night, would say the Pirates outplayed the Spartans.

No matter.

Though De La Salle got three long touchdown runs from Brady Smith, Jaden Jefferson and Brayden Knight, it was the defense that made a couple of big plays late to help pull out a 24-17 NCS Open Division title win at Diablo Valley College Friday on a clear, crisp night in Pleasant Hill.

Though last year’s title game was closer — De La Salle won 10-7 on a rainy night — this one was well more in Pittsburg’s favor with a 396-338 advantage in yards and a 24-10 edge in first downs. The Pirates, behind a superlative game from sophomore quarterback Javale Jones (32 completions in 47 attempts, 309 yards), also ran off 76 plays to 39 for De La Salle.

But the Spartans improved to 12-0 and all but assuredly will advance to the CIF Open Division California title game to represent Northern California in two weeks to face the Southern California champion.

Pittsburg (10-2) will drop down to the Division 1 bracket and face Cardinal Newman in the D1 title game. The Pirates will go for its fifth straight D1 title.

Pittsburg missed two chip shot field goals and missed on two other red zone chances. It never punted the ball.

It’s hard to believe the Pirates scored just two touchdowns, on a 16-yard pass from Jones to Kenneth Ward and a TD run by Siotame Finau. De La Salle scored on runs of 26 yards by Smith, 50 yards by Jefferson and 57 by Knight. The Spartans settled for a 21-yard field goal by Justin Uribarri with 7:11 to play.

The Pirates, like they had all night. rattled off a couple first downs, including a fifth fourth-down conversion. But on 4th-and-1 from its own 44, the Spartans stopped Jones for no gain on a keeper. Then ran out the clock, keyed by a 17-yard run by Duece Jones-Drew on a 3rd-and-15 play.

It’s been since 1991 since De La Salle’s juggernaut football team lost to North Coast Section team, a span heading into Friday’s game at Diablo Valley College of 283 games (282-0-1), 32 have been championship games.

The Spartans go for numbers 284 and 33 in Friday’s Open Division title game at Diablo Valley College as the Spartans (11-0), the state’s No. 4 team according to High School On SI, takes on No. 17 Pittsburg (10-1).

The loser of this game advances to the Division I championship game next week against the winner of Cardinal Newman versus Acalanes.

Pittsburg gave De La Salle all it could handle in last year’s title game under pouring rain, also at DVC. De La Salle won the game 10-7, its 32nd straight NCS crown, but then lost two weeks later to Mater Dei in the state Open Division title game.

Pittsburg advanced to the Division I title game last season and won its fourth straight championship.

FIRST QUARTER

* Pittsburg misses short field goal. After a De La Salle three and out, the Pirates missed a 32-yard field goal.

Touchdown De La Salle. A 49-yard scamper from Jaden Jefferson set up a 26-yard touchdown burst by Brady Smith giving De La Salle a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Pittsburg turns ball over on downs. Pirates motor right down field again, only on 4th-and-goal from the 5, a 4-yard pass from Jones to Mosley is one yard short of touchdown. De La Salle takes over on downs.

SECOND QUARTER

Touchdown run. The Pirates drive right down field, capped by a touchdown run by Siotame Finau tying the game at 7-7 with 8:15 left in second quarter.

De La Salle touchdown. Brayden Knight with spectacular 57-yard touchdown scamper after an inside handoff fake. Knight was caught at the 10-yard-line but held off the defender and was tackle halfway into the end zone. De La Salle 14, Pittsburg 7.

Pittsburg touchdown: Javale Jones with beautiful 16-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Ward. 4:55 2Q. Great drive keyed by 22-yard completion from Jones to Mosley on fourth down. De La Salle 14, Pittsburg 14.

De La Salle touchdown. Takes two plays, Jaden Jefferson 50-yard touchdown sprint, Spartans back up by a touchdown. De La Salle 21, Pittsburg 14.

Halftime score/stats: According to Damin Esper of DeLaSalleSportsTV, Pittsburg with 295 yards of offense compared to 253 for De La Salle. No one has moved the ball like this against the Spartans. Jones is 17 of 27 for 217 yards and one TD. Jefferson has six carried for 116 yards and Smith 7 carries for 69 yards for De La Salle. Mosley, the Arizona State bound receiver, has 5 catches for 64 yards, Ward 4 for 58. Great half. De La Salle 21, Pittsburg 14.

THIRD QUARTER

Pittsburg FG: The Pirates pick up where they left off in first half, drive 74 yards, but have to settle for a FG, a 24-yarder by Luis Rodriguez. More importantly they chew up half the quarter time wise. De La Salle 21, Pittsburg 17. 5:15 3Q.

Fumble De La Salle: Smith never gets clean exchange. Fumbles. Pittsburg recovers near midfield.

FG fails: A second chip shot FG misses, this one from 33-yards that clanks off left upright. A sack by Bubba Vargas forces the FG try.

FOURTH QUARTER

DE LA SALLE FG: Justin Uribarri 22-yard FG. 7:11 left. Big catch by Jefferson for 41 yards and 20-yard run by Knight sets up FG. De La Salle 24, Pittsburg 17 7:11 4Q

DE LA SALLE STOP: On 4th-and-1 from own 44, Pittsburg stopped short on Jones keeper. De La Salle takes over at 44. 2:44 remaining. De La Salle 24, Pittsburg 17 2:44

JONES-DREW FIRST DOWN: On 3rd-and-15, Duece Jones-Drew goes for 17 yards to clinch win. Three knees and De La Salle will win 33rd straight title.

FINAL SCORE: De La Salle 24, Pittsburg 17

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the Chicago Bears in a tough interconference matchup, with the Steelers travelling to Chicago to take on the NFC North foe.

With the history of this year’s Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, the game will mean a bit more to him than the rest of the team.

Rodgers spoke to the media about him taking on his former team in the Green Bay Packers’ rival, adding some metaphorical “fire” to the upcoming matchup.

“I’m not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Maybe I can, I guess,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great rivalry in the history of all sports. You talk about the Lakers and the Celtics, and the Red Sox and the Yankees. You gotta talk about the Packers and the Bears, and there’s been some great memories there.”

He then decided to elaborate by rubbing in the relative dominance his former team has over the Bears in recent years, making sure to separate himself from his first employer.

“When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time series lead. When I left, the Packers did. Since J-Love [Jordan Love] has taken over, it’s even gotten better. But I hope those fans can put that behind ’em.” Rodgers said.

Finally, Rodgers decided to give praise to the city, but made sure to keep a comedic tone and added how much he has enjoyed playing in Chicago due to his relative success there.

“There’s incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and many Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great sports town. Phenomenal sports fans and great place to play.”

In 29 starts against the Bears in his career, Rodgers is 25-4 with 64 touchdowns to six interceptions. Part of the dominance has to do with the Packers generally having overall more talented teams than the Bears during his career, but he has also been simply unstoppable.

Rodgers’ status is still in the air for the game, as he left last week’s win at the end of the first half with what turned out to be a broken wrist. Due to it being in his non-throwing hand, Rodgers may have a go at the game against the Bears, but it is also possible that Mason Rudolph will throw every pass this weekend for the Steelers.

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