California bounces back, flattens previously undefeated Milpitas

After a tough three-point setback against No. 4 Pittsburg last Friday, California coach Danny Calcagno had a message for his players.

“The mantra for this week was no letdown,” he said.

The host Grizzlies (3-2) got the message as they rolled to a 48-6 rout of previously undefeated Milpitas.

California built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, scored all 48 points in the first half and snapped the ball maybe 10 times after intermission thanks to a running clock.

“The kids seemed pretty focused,” Calcagno said.

Quarterback Jayden Macedo threw four touchdown passes and junior tight end Chase McGill caught two for touchdowns.

But the stat of the night belonged to sophomore outside linebacker Carson Fife, who blocked three punts.

Calcagno, a veteran coach who led teams at San Leandro High and Chabot College before taking the California job, couldn’t recall having seen that before.

None of the blocked punts landed in the end zone, but they all set up the Grizzlies in good field position.

For the Trojans (3-1), the toughest part of their schedule is now behind them. The Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division offers plenty of challenges with teams such as Capuchino (4-0), Aragon (3-1) and Terra Nova (3-1).