Sports

49ers give fans early xmas gift, they beat Jaguars 44-33

Published

7 years ago

December 24, 2017

Santa Clara, CA – On Christmas Eve the 49ers fans got an early Christmas gift, a promising quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo has been more than a quarterback trying to fit into an unknown system. Garoppolo spent the last two seasons apart of a winning organization with the New England Patriots. Today he proved to be the franchise quarterback of the future.

San Francisco’s 44-33 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars was astounding to say the least. A top ranked defense that highlights defensive end Calais Campbell, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, and cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J Bouye were completely outshined by the 49ers.

“My D-linemen were getting pressure and making guys cut back,” said linebacker Reuben Foster. “All of us played a big role in this game.”

With Garoppolo as the starting quarterback, the 49ers have gone 4-0. He finished the day 21-for-30 completions for 242 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. On opening drive Garoppolo led San Francisco with 10 plays for 79-yards before he rushed for the 1-yard touchdown making it a 7-0 game.

The 49ers extended their lead when Robbie Gould kicked a 27-yard field goal. Off to a fast start against a stout defense that hadn’t allowed a first-drive score all season. He took chances when he needed like going back-to-back with passes to both Louis Murphy and George Kittle (for 17 and 21 yards) setting up Gold’s field goal.

“It’s important. You don’t want to fall behind and let that puss rush get rolling on you,” Garoppolo said on fast start. “Jumping on them early, getting that first score especially and putting them in passing situations. It all played out pretty perfectly today. That’s how we want to play.”

Garoppolo continued to slice through the Jaguars defense. But not without help from the defense. A total of 3 interceptions which included a pick 6 were the highlights of the day. Dontae Johnson picked off Blake Bortles and rushed it back for a 50-yard touchdown. Bortles pass was intended for Keelan Cole, but Johnson was the open receiver in the right place.

“It was an under route,” said Johnson. “I just ran underneath and I was driving it anticipating a catch and tackle because he was running away from me. It was over thrown and I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Once it was in my hands, I knew that I was in the end zone.”

Gold’s extra point was blocked, and Aaron Colvin recovered the ball and returned it for 58 yards for the safety. Jacksonville made it a 16-2 game scoring their first points of the game. Leonard Fournette rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to extend their lead 16-8. But it was San Francisco’ offense collapse late in the second that led to the Jaguars tying the game before halftime.

Bortles pushed his offense downfield, then threw a pass to Fournette that was deflected and landed in the hands of Jaelen Strong for the 5-yard touchdown. That play made it 16-16 game to end the half. By the third, Jacksonville extended their lead with a 45-yard field goal from Josh Lambo.

“When K’Waun made that play I feel like it got the momentum back in us and everyone fed off each other,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

Unfortunately, for the Jaguars they didn’t anticipate the 49ers defense playing so well. The second interception of the day came by way of K’Waun Williams. He intercepted Bortles and went 27 yards. Garoppolo found Kittle for the 8-yard touchdown and the 49ers went back on top with a 23-19 lead.

An unreal matchup, no one saw coming. Penalties late in the third carried over to the fourth with the Jaguars fighting themselves. That frustration and lack of confidence fueled the underdog, San Francisco showed no mercy in the fourth. Garoppolo and his offense took full advantage of Jacksonville’s mistakes.

“We have to do a better job with our composure, obviously, with the penalties,” said head coach Doug Marrone. “We have to give credit to San Francisco. They made plays, there’s no doubt about that, and we didn’t make plays. In the end, we had three turnovers that resulted in 21 points, which is difficult.”

Garoppolo connected with Trent Taylor for a 3-yard touchdown after multiple penalties by the Jaguars that pushed the 49ers into great field position. Another interception, this one by Ahkello Witherspoon that setup Carlos Hyde’s 6-yard rushing touchdown. After that Jacksonville made their comeback. They scored two touchdowns in a span of two minutes.

The Jaguars got a 1-yard touchdown from T. J. Yeldon and then got the two-point conversion making it a 37-27 game. Jacksonville recovered their own onside kick, Bortles made a short pass to Strong for 19 yards, scrambled for 11 yards then found J. O’Shaughnessy for an 11-yard touchdown. Lambo’s extra point was no good yet the Jaguars cut the lead 37-33.

Another onside kick but this time, the 49ers were ready. Two back-to-back penalties by Jacksonville moved San Francisco down the field with ease. Hyde rushed for 7 yards and Matt Brieda rushed for a 30-yard touchdown sealing the 49ers win. Brieda rushed for a career-high 74 yards including one touchdown on 11 carries.

San Francisco has won four consecutive games for the first time since 2013, when the team won six straight from Weeks 12-17. The 44 points were the most points scored on the Jaguars this season and the most since Sept 27, 2015 (51 at NE).

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

3 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.

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OPINION: Politics, Football and Identity in Trump’s America

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Emil Guillermo

Two Filipino American stories made headlines recently.

First, Nikko Remigio, the Filipino and African American kick returner for the Kansas City Chiefs, did not win Super Bowl LIX.

The other, Alameda’s Rob Bonta said no to running for governor. I don’t blame him. It’s not like a mass of people wanted him to run.

But I did.

Whenever there is a Filipino American in a place you don’t expect, I’m rooting for that person.

As California’s Attorney General, Bonta is probably the most active defender among Blue States pushing back against Trump’s Extreme-Right agenda.

I’d like to Bonta run for California’s top job, but he’s better off waiting in line. The Democrats need a spot for Kamala Harris, and Bonta not running obliges the hierarchy.

History can wait. Bonta’s just 52.

Harris has held off speculation of her next move, saying she just moved back to the state. But it seems governor is the path for her.

For now, Bonta needs to continue taking the fight to Trump in the courts.

Football and Identity Politics

My dad, whose birthday would have been Super Bowl weekend, came to the US in 1928 as a colonized Filipino, an “American National,” where he couldn’t be a citizen, vote, own property or even marry the person he wanted.

Not if they were White.

Still, he believed in America. He never gave up.

Sort of like Nikko Remigio.

My dad would have loved Nikko.

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

You want to get passionate about Eagles and Chiefs?

Let’s be passionate about our Founding Fathers, too.

Nikko didn’t change the game. He touched it three times and provided more yards than all of KC’s running backs.

That’s all I needed to see.

He’s our Filipino guy.

Detractors may call it “identity politics.”

People don’t seem to understand the fight for visibility. To be recognized. To be seen. It’s all wrapped up in the big idea of Civil Rights.

I was nowhere near as good as Nikko when I played. But when you are blessed to play football, you play your hardest.

For me, that was when I was 12 and 13 playing Pop Warner football in San Francisco. I was MVP for my team as a running back.

But I was ashamed of my dad. He wasn’t like the other dads. And I remember going to the team banquet to retrieve my trophy alone.

I didn’t realize it probably meant more to him than I thought.

I wish I had shared my MVP moment with him like Nikko shared his joy with his dad, Mark, born in Seattle to two Filipino immigrants, and his mom, whose mixture of Black and White made Nikko the picture of diversity.

Filipino American and Black and White at the Super Bowl.

But don’t forget, there is one game bigger.

The Super Bowl for Democracy. We’re battling for it every day Trump pushes a cockamamie idea that shakes the foundation of our Democracy.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is an award-winning journalist and commentator. Watch his micro-talk show “Emil Amok’s Takeout/What Does an Asian American Think?” on www.YouTube.com/emilamok1 Or join him on http://www.patreon.com/emilamok