The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.

CSM’s Ryan Brand looks toward the open field in a 55-13 win at Contra Costa. The Bulldogs rushed for a season-high384 yards. Photo by Patrick Nguyen.

With College of San Mateo’s 55-13 win Saturday at Contra Costa College, the Bulldogs have coasted through two victories to open their conference schedule.

Now CSM finds itself starring down the barrel of the best the Bay 6 Conference has to offer over the next two weeks. Up next for the No. 21-ranked Bulldogs is defending state champion No. 8 City College of San Francisco at College Heights Stadium at 1 p.m. in a battle for first place, with both teams 2-0 in conference play.

CCSF is coming off a major upset Saturday, having downed No. 2 Santa Rosa Junior College 34-21. The following week, on Saturday, Nov. 5, CSM travels to Santa Rosa.

CSM’s Rashaan Fontenette rushed for a career-high 138 yards in Saturday’s win.

In Saturday’s route of Contra Costa, the Bulldogs once again showed the ability to run roughshod, racking up a season-high 384 rushing yards. It marks the third time this season CSM — ranking sixth in the state with a 219.4 per-game rushing average — has surpassed the 300-yard team-rushing plateau.

Each of CSM’s three running backs produced Saturday, with freshman Rashaan Fontenette totaling a career-high 137 yards on 12 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to cap a run of 38 unanswered points to open the game by CSM. Sophomores Isaiah Williams (nine carries) and Joey Wood (14 carries and a touchdown) totaled 49 yards apiece.

CSM quarterback Ryan Brand also proved mobile, rushing for a career-high 90 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. The sophomore was also 7-of-14 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns. But it was a surprise option pass by sophomore slot receiver Ramiah Marshall that really opened up the air attack.

With the Bulldogs jumping out to a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter, CSM went to the razzle-dazzle with Marshall heaving a 53-yard touchdown strike to Line Latu for the score. CSM went on to add another touchdown on the final play of the first quarter on a 22-yard pass from Brand to Sione Finefeuiaki.

CSM continued to pile on, four plays into the second quarter, when freshman cornerback Jordan Hendy produced a pick 6, jetting 37 yards for the score to up the lead to 31-0. The Bulldogs then scored on their fifth consecutive possession to open the game when Fontenette broke off a 50-yard TD run.

Brand added a 4-yard touchdown run and a 2-yard touchdown pass to Finefeuiaki in the third quarter. Place kicker Carlos Silva capped the day with his second field goal of the day, a 23-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Hendy produced two INTs on the day, the first two of his collegiate career. CSM outgained Contra Costa in total yards 545-406.