Rancho Bernardo Defeats Brawley 28-7 in Wildcats’ First Home Game
BRAWLEY — The Brawley Wildcats hosted the Rancho Bernardo Broncos on Friday night at Warne Field in a rematch of last year’s CIF San Diego Section Division I opening-round playoff game, which the Broncos won by a single point. This time, Rancho Bernardo controlled the contest from start to finish, defeating Brawley 28-7.
Both teams entered the matchup with heavy roster losses from last season — Rancho Bernardo graduated or lost 40 players to transfers, while Brawley lost more than 20 seniors, including 14 all-league standouts. Mistakes were made on both sides, but the Broncos capitalized on their opportunities more effectively than the Wildcats.
Rancho Bernardo quarterback Gaige Weddle sparked the Broncos’ offense with three touchdown passes, two of which came in the first half. Weddle connected with Hugo Gonzalez on an 11-yard strike in the first quarter to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead. He later found Cristiaan Gonzalez for a 12-yard touchdown in the second quarter, sending Rancho Bernardo into halftime ahead 14-0.
Just before the break, Aiden Arriquive forced a fumble recovered by Brawley, but the Wildcats couldn’t turn the opportunity into points.
The Wildcats’ defense opened the second half with a key play when Kevin Valenzuela forced a fumble that was recovered by Keith Sanchez. However, Rancho Bernardo responded as Weddle connected again with Cristiaan Gonzalez for a 58-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 21-0 midway through the third quarter.
Brawley’s lone score came early in the fourth quarter when sophomore Jonathan Piseno broke free for a 12-yard touchdown run. Evan Sepulveda converted the extra point, with Elijah Pope holding, to cut the deficit to 21-7.
The Broncos sealed the game later in the quarter as Brock Fields found Trevor Damiano for a 30-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to the final 28-7 margin.
With the loss, Brawley dropped to 0-2 on the season. The Wildcats will look to regroup on the road next week when they travel to San Diego to face the Mission Bay Buccaneers.