The Bruins were up against an over-matched Overfelt team that was having an off year. Branham knocked out a 42-7 victory, clinching second place in the division with a 5-1 mark. The Bruins are 9-1 for the season, their only loss of the year coming against division champ Leland.

The Bruins are the No. 5 seed in the CCS Division III playoffs and will meet No. 4 Palo Alto in round one Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at Foothill College. Palo Alto (8-2, 4-2) tied for second in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division, which is the upper division of the SCVAL.

"They are talented and will be a good challenge for us," said coach Dave Cardoza. "They have a good quarterback who throws well and a couple of really good defensive linemen. They definitely are a good team."

"When the season started, we didn't think we would go this far," added Cardoza. "We actually thought it would be a rebuilding year for us. We are very pleased with what our kids have done and accomplished."

The Bruins used the Overfelt game as a tune-up for CCS action. The starters played only about half the game, and early in the third quarter most of them were on the sidelines. This was partially to rest them for CCS but it was also obvious that the game was in hand and that Overfelt was over-matched.

The Bruins didn't even throw the ball in the second half and T.J. De Stefano hit 3 of 3 passes on the day for 35 yards. One was a 10-yard touchdown strike to Steven Lowrey for Branham's first score.

De Stefano gave the Bruins another six points when he scrambled into the endzone from seven yards out. Louis Sakoda kicked it though for the PAT, as he did after all six touchdowns, and Branham was up 14-0.

The Bruins continued to move the ball well in the second quarter with their potent ground attack. Andre Ingram got in on the scoring action as he went on one of his familiar scampers, taking the ball nine yards for the score. Ingram completed his work for the day carrying the ball nine times for 87 yards and the one TD.

Next it was Cameron Pickering's turn to contribute to the scoring. He blasted one yard up the middle on one of his patented rumbles, carrying tacklers with him as he went into the endzone. Pickering pounded out 67 yards on six carries for the game.

The defense made its presence felt, closing out the scoring for the first half when linebacker Joshua Lagod swiped an Overfelt pass and took it back 53 yards for a touchdown. That gave Branham a 35-0 halftime lead.

Cardoza began to freely substitute early in the third quarter, giving his reserves a chance to gain some experience with some playing time. Running back Marc Martinez made the most of his opportunity. He carried only one time but he took the hand-off and didn't stop until he had bolted 46 yards for a touchdown and the final score for Branham.

Since the Bruins did not attempt a single pass in the second half, the bulk of the offensive efforts feel on the shoulders of two reserve backs, Preston Ward and Kenny Shearer. Ward ended the day with 34 yards on six carries while Shearer contributed 28 yards on eight carries.

"It was a good overall defensive performance for us," said Cardoza. The Bruins were in control most of the game as they kept Overfelt's offense from developing any momentum and rendering it ineffective.