On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, the Berkeley High School boys soccer team faced off against Bishop O’Dowd High School in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. Not only was this a home game against BHS’ biggest rival, it was also senior night.
Pregame ceremonies began with a standing ovation as players ran out of the iconic inflatable BHS Yellowjacket tunnel. Seniors were then joined by their families as they got commemorated one by one, each walking down a makeshift aisle formed by members of the JV squad. For BHS senior Nico Smok Blanchard, the moment was overwhelming. “It was surreal,” he said, “I don’t think it has fully set in yet.”
Once the opening whistle blew, however, sentiment quickly gave way to dominance. Despite early physicality, it was clear that BHS controlled the pace of the game. It took just eight minutes for BHS senior Calder Corson to break through, receiving a through ball behind the back line and slotting it into the bottom corner to give BHS a 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later, BHS senior Henry Banks capitalized on a deflected pass at the top of the box, shaking a defender before slotting a shot into the bottom right corner to make the score 2-0.
The tear continued when BHS senior Jack Hernandez scored the team’s third goal in a five-minute span after exploiting unmarked space behind O’Dowd’s defense. By then, the crowd was in a frenzy.
O’Dowd was able to steady themselves for the remainder of the half, but Berkeley carried a commanding 3-0 lead into the break.
The Jackets’ dominance throughout the first half wasn’t just offensive. “We made sure to keep the game in their half at all times,” BHS senior Jordan Salgado, one of the team’s defenders, said. “Either when we’re in possession, or when they’re in possession, we focus on holding them back,” he said.Salgado also credited the atmosphere, “A big aspect was the crowd and also the bench being very hyped up and having a lot of energy,” he said, “As a defender, it really motivates you to commit to big tackles and stay locked in to make a stop.”
There was little need for major tactical adjustments in the locker room. According to Smok Blanchard, the coaching staff kept their halftime message simple. “The main message was to just enjoy it,” he said, “You know, have fun in front of the crowd.” Salgado echoed that statement, saying “they just told us to play our game.”
BHS returned to the field energized, nearly adding two more goals in the opening minutes after a free kick and a cross narrowly missed their marks. The Jackets extended their lead 11 minutes into the second half when BHS sophomore Jasper Kirsch finished a well-worked buildup to make the score 4-0. The final goal came on a header by BHS junior Ibrahima Kande, sealing a dominant 5-0 victory.
For the seniors, the night was about more than just a win. “It‘s crazy thinking back to being on the freshman team with all my friends,” Salgado, reflecting on his journey, said. Their growth hasn’t just shown up on the scoreboard, but in the culture they’ve built. As the class of 2026 ends its athletic chapter with Jacket sports, their legacy is more than just highlights. They leave behind the scaffolding for the next generation of BHS soccer players and change-makers.