URGENT UPDATE: Valley Christian High School has launched its football season with a stunning 41-10 victory over Wilcox High in San Jose on August 29, 2025. This decisive win was marked by an astonishing five turnovers forced by the Warriors, leading to a rapid shift in momentum that left Wilcox reeling.
In what began as a tightly contested matchup, with a score of just 6-3 at halftime, the game took a dramatic turn early in the second half. Wilcox’s inability to maintain possession culminated in a fumble on their first play after the break, allowing Valley Christian to capitalize and surge ahead. The Warriors converted each turnover into points, scoring 35 unanswered points in the third quarter alone.
Valley Christian’s head coach, Mike Machado, expressed disbelief at the sudden turnaround, stating, “Unexplainable.” The defense, powered by a formidable front seven, not only stymied Wilcox’s offense but also contributed to the score with a pick-six from sophomore linebacker Mike Synegal.
Wilcox, led by head coach Paul Rosa, struggled to recover from the turnovers. The Chargers managed only 11 plays from scrimmage in the third quarter, all while yielding five turnovers. Rosa lamented the unexpected performance, saying, “Unfortunately, we saw where we were today in the second half. It wasn’t good.”
Warriors sophomore quarterback Rome Leota-Pritchard had a standout game, completing just six passes for 172 yards, including a spectacular 77-yard touchdown to Lasavion Carr. Senior running back Ekiah McLemore played a key role, rushing for 67 yards and scoring two touchdowns himself. The offensive efficiency was striking, as Valley Christian scored six touchdowns on just 37 plays, amassing a total of 342 yards.
Wilcox attempted to establish a running game, showcasing a four-headed attack that totaled 139 yards, but could not overcome the critical turnovers. Junior quarterback Kai Imahara, marking his return from injury, completed seven passes for 106 yards but faced constant pressure from Valley Christian’s defense.
Despite a promising start to the game, with Wilcox taking a 3-0 lead after a methodical opening drive, they could not maintain the momentum. The Warriors quickly flipped the script, scoring the next 41 points.
As the game wound down, Wilcox did manage to get on the board with a late touchdown from junior Elijah Vallejo, but the damage was done. This win marks Valley Christian’s seventh victory in their last nine meetings against Wilcox, solidifying their dominance in this annual rivalry.
Moving forward, both teams will look to bounce back, with Valley Christian aiming to build on this momentum and Wilcox searching for ways to rectify their turnover issues. The stakes remain high as each team prepares for their upcoming matchups in the competitive league.
Stay tuned for updates on both teams as they continue their seasons!
