The Friday night lights returned to Woodside for the first time this year, where fans were treated with a 35-20 victory over the Santa Clara Bruins. 

For the first time since Bradley Field has reopened, students, parents, alumni and fans watched the Woodside Wildcats in action against the visiting Santa Clara High School. Kick-off occurred at 7 p.m. last Friday, surrounded by a sea of black thanks to the “Back in Black” theme. 

Woodside came out swinging, opening with a momentous first drive capped off by sophomore quarterback Charlie Dalrymple connecting with senior Dumace Bell for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The extra point made the score 7-0 for Woodside. 

“[My favorite highlight] was that touchdown to Dumace on the first drive,” Dalrymple said. “That was sick.”

The Wildcats didn’t let up from there with the defense putting a quick stop to the Bruins’ first drive, forcing a punt that was returned to the Bruins’ 31-yard line. On the first play of the drive, junior running back Daniel Torres found himself in open space to take it all the way for a 31-yard touchdown, bringing the score up to 14-0 for Woodside. 

Santa Clara’s drive to open the second quarter ended abruptly after junior defensive tackle Carlos Latu’s sack, which was directly followed by a sack from senior captain Sam Cowart. 

“My favorite play for me was probably when I got my sack,” Latu said. “I got lucky, just came up forward, put his head down, and I was right there.” 

Woodside marched down the field and punched it in from the two-yard line to extend their lead even further, bringing the score to 21-0 for Woodside. With three minutes left in the half, Cowart got his second sack of the game, allowing Woodside to regain possession. With Woodside on their own 40, Torres exploded for a 60-yard touchdown run just before the halftime whistle. 

The Bruins didn’t give up, however, with them putting together a field goal drive to make it 28-3 after the half. Then, following a Woodside punt, a 60-yard run from Santa Clara brought them into the red zone. Santa Clara’s quarterback kept and barreled his way in for a one-yard touchdown, making the score 28-10. 

“I think after the half we came out a little too excited about our lead,” junior running back Alex Valencia said.

The Wildcat’s following drive ended shortly after a fumble, giving the Bruins a perfect field position for another touchdown. The extra point made the score 28-17. Woodside fumbled again in the shadow of their own end zone to set up a Bruins field goal, making the score 28-20 for Woodside. 

“Next time we need to be more stout on defense during the second half,” Latu said.

Luckily, the Wildcats got the break they needed as Torres went for another 27-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point made the score 35-20 for Woodside. The Wildcats defense was able to close out the rest of the game to secure the 35-20 win.  

“I think we played great,” Valencia said. “We played good to the fact that we were able to close it out.”