Bishop O'Dowd and Cougars moved on to the Northern California Boys DII final as both won their semifinals Saturday.

The O'Dowd Varsity boys team improved to 7-4 after holding on to defeat a determined De La Salle team 24-21. The Dragons looked as if they would run away with it early.  An impressive show of forward power via the hard driving of seniors Richard Rogers, Louis Mischeaux, and Tony Cardenas. Tries from center Andrew Crudo, fullback Robert Crosby, and wing Orion Binder, two of those converted by Crosby, staked O’Dowd to a 19-0 first-half lead. De La Salle managed to get a try in to close the gap, however, prop Troy Coaston powered over just before the break to make it 24-7 O’Dowd.

The second half, though, was more De La Salle’s way, and only some determined defense from O’Dowd made the going slow. De La Salle scored two tries in the second half, at 50 and 65 minutes, but could not get any closer and O’Dowd prevailed 24-21.

Meanwhile, in a tight game, the Cougars of Del Campo HS held off the Berkeley Rhinos 15-14. The Cougars were physical in defense and had to hold off the Rhinos late. Berkeley had a couple of kickable penalty chances, but opted to run those, and the Cougars held firm.

Cougars celebrate Saturday's victory.

In the Boys DI semis, Peninsula Green advanced after Sierra Foothills was unable to bring enough players. It was a source of frustration for Peninsula Green, which has had several games forfeited this season. (In the JV semis, Peninsula Green also advanced via forfeit.) CK McClatchy, meanwhile, defeated SFGG to set up the DI final between the two undefeated teams. (McClatchy will face PG in the JV final also.)