Lions Clinch At Least A Share Of GLC Title

The De Anza College football team continues its march towards school history, following Saturday's dominant 48-23 win at Merced College.

With the victory, the No. 18-ranked Lions improved to 9-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Golden Coast League. They will need a home win over Cabrillo College (1-3, 2-7) next Saturday to win back-to-back outright league championships.

Merced dropped to 3-1 in GLC play after entering the game on a three-game winning streak. The Blue Devils will play Coalinga (also 3-1) next Saturday.

De Anza extended its regular season winning streak to 19.

"Our coaches challenged the team to operate more efficiently and play complementary football - and we did on many fronts," De Anza head coach Joe D'Agostino said.

"We were able to jump out to a big lead and beat another winning team that came in with momentum. It was good overall from an operational standpoint and we came out healthy. Always great to take care of business on a longer road trip. We need to carry our momentum into next week."

On Saturday, where temparatures reached the low 80s, the Lions started hot. 

The formula of big plays on defense and special teams have added fuel to the American Division's No. 1 scoring offense; the Lions scored 48 points on 41 offensive plays.

The De Anza offense started its first two drives in the red zone - set-up by an interception by Ta'Shaun Skinner and a kick return by Jayden Weber. The offense took advantage with a TD run by QB Ian Kirby and a Kirby-to-Aaron Rocke scoring pass to give DA an early 14-3 lead.

Kirby ended the first quarter with a 57-yard bomb to All-American WR Akeem Wright - taking a 21-3 lead.

After a TD run by Merced early in the second quarter, freshman RB/KR Isaiah Addison returned the kickoff 75 yards for a TD - his second scoring return of the season - and the Lions led 27-10.

Freshman LB Hosie Hopkins scored on defense for the second consecutive week. He grabbed a pass deflection and raced 24 yards to give DA a 34-10 lead (Armando Rodriguez PAT).

Addison added a 15-yard scoring run just before half to give the Lions a commanding 41-10 lead heading into the break.

Kirby and Wright connected on a 70-yard TD pass play in the third quarter (48-10 lead) - and De Anza was able to play many of the other players on the roster, including back-up QBs Hiro Diamond and Brandon Arceo.

Merced scored two TDs during reserve time.

Key Stats

• Explosive Efficiency: 359 total yards on just 41 plays (8.8 yards per play) vs. Merced's 339 yards on 74 plays.

• Passing Dominance: 258 yards through the air vs. Merced's 134.

• Turnover Margin: De Anza +2 (3 interceptions forced / 1 thrown).

• Sacks: De Anza recorded 1 sack (Andrew Rheubottom) — Merced had none.

• Big-Play Impact: Three touchdown plays of 50+ yards (57-, 70-, and 75-yard scores).

• Special Teams Superiority: 195 kick-return yards to Merced's 112, including a 75-yard kickoff return TD by Isaiah Addison.

• Red-Zone Efficiency: 3-for-4 (75%) vs. Merced's 3-for-5 (60%).

• Third Downs: Converted 44% (4-of-9) to Merced's 40% (8-of-20).

• Fourth Downs: Perfect 2-for-2.

Individual Leaders  

Quarterback Ian Kirby

• 12-of-16 passing for 241 yards and 4 total TDs.

• Engineered three first-half TD drives of under one minute each.

Wide Receiver Akeem Wright

• 6 receptions for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns (57- and 70-yard strikes).

• Averaged 31 yards per catch to lead all receivers.

Running Back Isaiah Addison

• 3 carries for 35 yards (11.7 avg) and a 16-yard rushing TD.

• Returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown.

Receiver Aaron Rocke

• Caught an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Defensive Standouts

• Hosie Hopkins: 12 tackles (6 solo) and a 25-yard interception return for a TD.

• Ta'Shaun Skinner and Jasiri Harvey: each added an interception.

• Andrew Rheubottom: recorded De Anza's only sack of the game.

• Hosea Addison and Jaden White: combined for 13 tackles to anchor the front seven.