BREAKING: Valley Christian High School has decisively opened their football season with a stunning 41-10 victory over Wilcox High School in San Jose, California, on August 29, 2025. The Warriors capitalized on an uncharacteristic meltdown from the Chargers, forcing a staggering five turnovers in the third quarter alone.
In a game that started evenly matched, with the score just 6-3 at halftime, everything changed dramatically in the second half. Wilcox fumbled on their first play after the break, igniting a scoring spree that saw Valley Christian convert each turnover into points. By the end of the third quarter, the Warriors had surged to a commanding 41-3 lead.
Wilcox Head Coach Paul Rosa described the situation as “unexplainable,” reflecting on his decade-long experience without encountering such a catastrophic series of events. His team’s inability to maintain possession proved detrimental, as Valley Christian’s defense, led by a formidable front seven, dominated throughout.
Valley Christian’s quarterback, Rome Leota-Pritchard, showcased his skill, completing just six of twelve passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. His highlight included a remarkable 77-yard pass to Lasavion Carr, propelling the Warriors to an early lead that they never relinquished.
The Warriors’ offense was efficient, needing only 37 plays from scrimmage to accumulate 342 total yards and six touchdowns. Senior running back Ekiah McLemore also made a significant impact, rushing for 67 yards and scoring two touchdowns, while junior Divine John added a breakout 43-yard touchdown run.
Meanwhile, Wilcox, struggling without their star player from last season, Brayden Rosa, managed to muster only 139 rushing yards but could not overcome their turnover woes. Junior quarterback Kai Imahara, returning from injury, recorded 106 passing yards, but his efforts were not enough to salvage the game in the face of relentless pressure from Valley Christian’s defense.
The game took a particularly grim turn for the Chargers when Valley Christian linebacker Mike Synegal returned an interception for a touchdown, further widening the gap to 41-3. Wilcox managed a late fourth-quarter touchdown, a two-yard run by junior Elijah Vallejo, but it was too little, too late.
Valley Christian’s victory marks their seventh win in nine meetings against Wilcox since 2016, and it sets a competitive tone for the rest of the season. Coach Mike Machado expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing that “every time we got it, we put points on the board,” showcasing the offensive efficiency that left Wilcox reeling.
As both teams look ahead, Wilcox aims to regroup and address their turnover issues, while Valley Christian seeks to build momentum from this impressive start. The implications for the league standings are significant, and fans will be eager to see how both teams respond in their upcoming games.
Stay tuned for further updates as the high school football season progresses.
