Prep football: Redwood’s defense dominates in win against Terra Linda

Redwood’s defense was definitely up for the challenge during Friday night’s football game.

The Giants picked off four passes, three of which were returned for touchdowns, to help Redwood cruise to 49-6 victory to spoil Terra Linda’s homecoming festivities at San Rafael High.

Wilson Schwartz, Carter Bowman and Colin McGrath all returned picks for scores for the Giants (3-2, 2-0 MCAL). Schwartz recorded his second interception in the final minutes of the first half to help the Giants to a 35-6 advantage at intermission.

“Feeling pretty good,” said Bowman, who also had a 35-yard touchdown reception from Brady Weingart to go with his 60-yard interception return. “We’ve been putting in a lot of work and it’s showing. We’ve got a defensive dinner coming our way. Coaches are buying us dinner (due to Friday’s performance).”

After playing their first five games on the road, the Giants are savoring the chance to host next Saturday’s showdown against San Marin.

“Looking forward to our first home game against San Marin,” Carter said. “We’re trying to show the MCAL what Redwood football is all about.”

Sam Janowsky led the Giants’ ground attack with 99 yards rushing on 16 carries with two scores.

“Three pick sixes definitely took some of the pressure off, but we wanted to keep building on the defense on offense to keep putting up scores,” Janowsky said. “Playing against two tough teams in Acalanes and Rancho (Cotate) got us battle-tested in going into the San Marin game.”

Weingart finished 7 for 14 for 163 yards passing. The Redwood quarterback had touchdown passes to Bowman and a 26-yarder to McGrath in the second half.

TL (1-4, 0-1) had its struggles, but the Trojans looked like they were going to be able to hang around with the Giants early on.

From TL’s own 2-yard-line, Garrett Pardo rolled left and found a wide-open Jackson Pattani around TL’s 40 and he cruised untouched down the left sideline to the end zone to cut Redwood’s advantage to 7-6 with just under four minutes to go in the first quarter.

Loud cheers erupted from the TL stands after witnessing the improbable 98-yard pass play.

Pattani had a game-high 135 yards receiving with his two catches.

“We played tough on defense,” TL coach Dallas Hartwell said. “Going into the fourth quarter, we’d only allowed 14 points on defense. Redwood has a good offense and I think we were able to stay toe-to-toe with them. Offensively, we have to refocus and really dial in.

“I know this is a really good football team and it’s up to me to get them to their potential.”

TL will try for its first league win next Saturday on the road against Archie Williams.

Redwood 49, Terra Linda 6

MCAL

R          21       14       0          14       —         49

TL        6          0          0          0          —         6

SCORING SUMMARY

R – Schwartz 35 interception (Weasler kick)

TL – Pattani 98 pass from Pardo (pass failed)

R – Bowman 35 pass from Weingart (Weasler kick)

R – Bowman 60 Interception (Weasler kick)

R – Janowsky 9 run (Weasler kick)

R – McGrath 36 interception (Weasler kick)

R – McGrath 26 pass from Weingart (Weasler kick)

R – Janowsky 26 run (Weasler kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Redwood, Janowsky 16-99, Brown 1-(minus-2), Weingart 5-(minus-25).  Totals: 22-72. TL, Hernandez 4-8, Lowe 2-2, Cordon 1-(minus-1), Truett 6-(minus-5), Pardo 6-(minus-13). Totals: 19-(minus-9).

PASSING – Redwood, Weingart 7-14-0 163. TL, Pardo 9-27-4 189.

RECEIVING – Redwood, Bowman 3-64, McGrath 2-61, Janowsky 2-38. Totals: 7-163. TL, Pattani 2-135, Greene 3-23, Walker 2-16, Truett 1-8, Olyphant 1-7. Totals: 9-189.

Records: Redwood 3-2, 2-0. TL 1-4, 0-1.