De La Salle Defeated Corona Centennial in Thriller
De La Salle remained undefeated after a 35-32 victory against Corona Centennial in Berkeley on Saturday.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Football
De La Salle secured a 35-32 win over Corona Centennial at California Memorial Stadium to maintain their perfect 5-0 record. The victory was cemented by a crucial defensive stop on fourth down in the final minutes of the game.
Why it matters
This victory keeps De La Salle unblemished in their current season as they continue to build on a program legacy that includes eight CIF championships. The result leaves Corona Centennial with a 2-3 record following a back-and-forth contest.
Duece Jones-Drew powered the De La Salle offense with 211 rushing yards on 28 carries and three total touchdowns. His scoring runs included 59-yard and 25-yard efforts, while Jaden Jefferson connected with Quentin Hale for a 43-yard touchdown pass.
The players
De La Salle High School
This Concord-based institution is a perennial football powerhouse that has captured eight CIF championships.
Corona Centennial High School
Based in Corona, this school maintains a competitive football program that frequently faces top-tier California teams.
Duece Jones-Drew
The running back led the De La Salle offense with a high-volume rushing performance against Corona Centennial.
The details
The game saw both teams trade leads throughout the afternoon until a defensive stand by De La Salle in the fourth quarter decided the outcome. De La Salle continues to leverage its historic program strength to overcome tough competition as they navigate their 2026 schedule.
Timeline
The football game occurred on Saturday afternoon, September 26, 2026.
De La Salle famously maintained a 151-game win streak between 1992 and September 4, 2004.
Season Trajectory
This win keeps De La Salle firmly in the conversation for high-level postseason contention as they move to 5-0. It serves as a significant hurdle cleared for the program, impacting their standing against other top-ranked teams in the California playoff picture.
With this 35-32 outcome, De La Salle maintains its position as an undefeated contender, directly impacting their regional ranking. Corona Centennial falls to 2-3, significantly complicating their path toward a high-seed berth in the upcoming state playoffs.
The takeaway
The game highlighted the importance of late-game defensive execution in tight high school matchups. Fans and observers can look to these decisive fourth-quarter stands as key indicators of a team's championship potential during the remainder of the season.
Further reading
For more on high school sports developments across the region, visit the California Football section.
