UPDATE: De La Salle High School delivered a commanding performance, defeating St. Mary’s-Stockton **36-7** in a decisive showdown on **September 26, 2025**. The Spartans, responding to a previous challenge from coach **Justin Alumbaugh**, demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess, allowing no offensive touchdowns throughout the game.
The victory unfolded at De La Salle’s home field in **Concord, California**, where the Spartans’ defense stifled St. Mary’s offense, surrendering only **130 yards** and permitting the Rams into the red zone just once. Alumbaugh emphasized the need for improvement after a lackluster performance last week, and his players rose to the occasion.
“They responded well,” Alumbaugh stated. “I knew we were going to play better because we practiced better. They had better intent and were more focused.”
Senior linebacker **Bubba Vargas** echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s commitment to blocking out distractions. “This week we made the decision to block out the noise and go play ball. And that’s what we did tonight,” Vargas said.
The Spartans’ offense was equally impressive, rushing for **296 yards**, with **Duece Jones-Drew** leading the charge, contributing **76 yards** and two touchdowns. De La Salle’s offensive strategy clicked, as they scored **21 points** in the first half alone. Quarterback **Brayden Knight** connected with **Dylan Scott** for a stunning **71-yard** touchdown, setting the tone early in the game.
St. Mary’s attempted to rally after the halftime break when **Mehtaab Bhangu** intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, providing a brief flicker of hope. However, their only score proved insufficient as De La Salle regained control with a **10-yard** touchdown run from **Jaden Jefferson**, expanding the lead back to **21 points**.
In the fourth quarter, **Brady Smith** sealed the game with a **27-yard** touchdown, marking De La Salle’s fifth consecutive victory. The Spartans dominated the field, converting **11 first downs** while St. Mary’s struggled, managing only **1-of-12** on third-down attempts.
Looking ahead, De La Salle faces another formidable opponent next week, welcoming **Cathedral Catholic** from San Diego, who boasts a **5-0** record after defeating Granite Hills **40-30**. The Spartans will need to maintain their momentum as they prepare for this critical matchup.
As De La Salle celebrates this impressive victory, the focus shifts to sustaining their high performance and addressing the challenges that lie ahead. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how the Spartans navigate this upcoming test against a top-tier rival.
