Cardinal Newman and Marin Catholic are preparing for a highly anticipated battle for the Adobe football title

The success of the Cardinal Newman football program has been tremendous over the past three-plus years. After starting the season 8-0, the Cardinals are up to 35 wins and counting and have made three straight appearances in the North Coast Section title game.

But one team remained a thorn in their side, an obstacle they had yet to overcome: Marin Catholic, the team that ended the Cardinals’ season in those three NCS title games.

Now the undefeated league rival Cardinals have a chance to change their fortunes against the Wildcats this week.

Two of the most successful and prominent programs in the North Bay will meet in a heavyweight showdown Saturday afternoon in Kentfield for a battle that will not only give the Cardinals a chance to exorcise some postseason demons, but will likely define the Redwood Empire. The name of the Adobe conference division.

Kickoff for the Press Democrat’s Game of the Week, and arguably the best game in the Bay Area this weekend, is set for 2 p.m.

The Cardinals are ranked No. 3 in the NCS and No. 39 in the state by CalHi Sports. Marin Catholic (6-2), winner of six straight games and the defending CIF 3-A state champion, is ranked No. 6 in the NCS and No. 50 in the state by CalHi Sports.

The Cardinals and Wildcats have been in epic battles over the past 10 years, but MC has been victorious in seven of eight meetings, all of which made the playoffs. The Cardinals’ only win came in the 2019 NCS Division 4 title game, a 13-10 thriller that was decided on a last-second field goal that ultimately led the Cardinals to the state title.

From then on everything became Marin Catholic. The Wildcats have won the last three meetings by an average margin of 27 points, a fact not lost on the Cardinals. However, they say the match will be different this season.

“We all know what happened in the past, and what’s in the past is the past,” said senior defensive lineman Jesse Myers, a four-year varsity player. “We are not the same team. There are 16 adults in this team. The leadership has definitely strengthened this year, we have a lot of experience and we are staying in this season, focused on this game rather than looking back.

“We’re looking forward to it and looking forward to it.”

Unlike in recent years, the Cardinals will enter this game as favorites, although Saturday’s game in hostile territory won’t offer much of an advantage. The Wildcats aren’t as star-studded as they have been in recent years and will be without their best playmaker in senior receiver Braden Bacic-Dixon, a San Jose State commit who was sidelined with a broken collarbone.

But the Wildcats still pose a huge challenge, and they have several key players who could make a difference this weekend.

Speedy guard Jared Geissberger, a standout sprinter in the Athletics, has emerged as one of the team’s top offensive players since Bacic-Dixon’s injury. He scored a pair of touchdowns in their 21–7 win over San Marin to open league play.

Another is senior tight end/defensive back Jordan Rodgers, a UC Davis commit, as well as lineman Sam Connelly, who is committed to Yale. Leading the offense is junior guard Kayden Afsharipour.

And while the Wildcats may not be as explosive on offense, their defense is as formidable as any team in the NCC. Since bursting into the win column with a 29-28 win over Manteca—one of the top teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section—MC has won its last five games with just 14 runs scored and three shutouts, including two latest games against Adobe. Vintage (20-0) and Rancho Cotate (30-0).

But as Myers said, the Cardinals feel more prepared than ever for this matchup — and it’s easy to see why.

Newman has been one of the most dominant teams in the NCS this year and has one of the most talented rosters in decades. The dominance starts on the line, a defensive unit led by Myers, Jimmy McKenzie and Logan Rodriguez, who have been starters for the past three years.

On offense, freshman quarterback Tino “LT” Retamoza continues to make strides and is having the best game of his young career, passing for 273 yards with three touchdowns in a 31-3 win over San Marin last week.

Overall, the Cardinals average over 40 points per game, and with the exception of a 24–23 overtime win over Windsor, they have won all of their games by at least 18 points.

“This was the best we did in this game in terms of talent, depth and our ability to play physical,” Cardinal Newman head coach Richard Sanchez said. “We couldn’t match them the last three championships in a row because we were still building and growing and a lot of our players played in their first championship as freshmen. This is important to them. They are excited and enthusiastic about it.

“I don’t think there’s any fear factor that we could have dealt with earlier because we were younger. But now we are much more mature than ever.”

Asked what a win on Saturday would mean, McKenzie said: “A win would mean a lot. Like the Windsor game, we haven’t beaten them in years and I think it will feel the same going into this game. … It would be a great respect and an amazing feeling if we can walk away with this W.”

Added senior running back Jamari Gentry: “We have nothing but love for this team. It’s going to be a great battle and I can’t wait to play.”

YesYou can reach Staff Writer Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @JustGusPD.