Piedmont High School’s boys football team was not impressed with Irvington’s undefeated record. The Highlanders marched into Tak Fudenna Stadium on Oct. 17 and blew out the host Vikings, 49-7. Piedmont is now 6-1 on the season, 2-0 West Alameda County Conference Mission League play.
“Last year, we won league,” said Brandon Dicke. “This year, I feel everything is coming together. I think this is the year we go farther than anybody ever thought we could. Everybody worked their butts off in the offseason and this game is how the work in the offseason is paying off and we’re all excited to see how far we can go.”
Said Miguel Long, “We showed them who’s boss.”
Indeed. Long and Dicke each had 50-yard interception returns in the first half for touchdowns. The offense scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and three times in the first half. It was 35-0 at halftime and the fourth quarter was played with a running block.
This against a team that came in 6-0.
“No one’s close to us in this league at all,” quarterback Markos Lagios said. “We realized that last week at Hayward. We’re sitting good right now.”
Lagios and the passing game have been progressing over the course of the season. He completed 12 of 18 throws for 272 yards and three touchdowns on the night. This, despite the fact Irvington was blanketing Lagios’s top receiver, Sam Shelby.
“Everywhere he went, they had a safety over the top,” Lagios said. “We tried to throw some screen passes to him, we got some penalties, it was kind of unfortunate stuff. We basically had one-on-ones everywhere else besides where Sam was. It sucks. You take him away but we’ve got other guys who can play, too.”
“This is a big game for us to show off on film,” he said. “Other teams can see they have other guys who can play so maybe they’re not going to double Sam next game. Either one, pick your poison, we’re going to go at you guys.”
Jack Meyjes (14) looks back for the ball as Armaan Deshpandey (18) defends. 
Jordan Alemania (55) pressures Vivaan Tiwari (17) as he passes 
Nick King (77) and Adrian Kondakov (56) are among those in the pile. 
Tommy Ashton (8) straight-arms Adrian Perkins (52)
Shelby was held to two catches on three targets for just 14 yards. A 19-yard touchdown pass from Lagios to Shelby was taken off the board due to a holding penalty. Instead, Xavier Henderson caught four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Jack Meyjes hauled in two for 32 and a score. Cash Elmquist caught two for 71 and a touchdown. Cash
Panico caught two passes for 70 yards. The defense was dominant as well. Irvington was held to 153 yards on 32 offensive plays.
The Vikings ran for 79 yards and passed for 74. As a team, they completed four passes to their players and three to the Highlanders.
Next, Piedmont hosts Washington-Fremont on Oct. 25 at Witter Field. The season finale on Nov. 8 at Witter against Newark Memorial may turn out to be the biggest test for the Highlanders. Although, they keep passing all the tests that people are throwing at them.