Cal Football

Bear Insider Video: Cal DB commit Sai Vadrawale

By Jim McGill

November 23, 2022

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6-1/175 Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Part, CA) High School WR/DB Sailasa Vadrawale‍ found himself in a position he’s thrived in throughout is prep career, particularly his senior season, in last Friday’s NCS 2A semifinals matchup vs. 11-0 Campolindo High School.

The game was a crazy back-and-forth battle, with the versatile athlete scoring half his team’s points with 3 TDs. Rancho mounted a furious last-minute drive to pull to within 1 point when they opted to go for 2 rather than try and force overtime.

On the play, Vadrawale broke decisively across the middle, open for the potential winning score only to see the pass batted down at the line of scrimmage, ending Rancho’s successful season at 9-3.

It was a bittersweet ending but the heartbreaking loss won’t dim the memories of a very special season Vadrawale will cherish with his friends and teammates.

“It meant everything to me,” said Vadrawale. “After I committed (to Cal), I wanted to leave a legacy, like I said in the first interview. I wanted to leave a legacy here, whether that was winning an NCS championship or even a state championship.

“This will hurt for a long time. It will hurt but at the end of the day, life goes on. The season always ends in tears, either in happiness or sadness. I’ll get over it but it will take time, for sure.

“I love all my guys and I’ll for sure miss them next year.”

Going for two for the win instead of testing ones luck in overtime is the ultimate gamble. Win and you look like a genius. Lose? Well, something else.

“We gotta live with the result,” said Vadrawale. “We couldn’t get a stop on defense at all. For us to get that 2-point conversion in the game...I mean, Coach believed in us and it could’ve went any way. I was open but it was tipped. What can I say? It’s what happened. It is what it is.”

Losing to an undefeated team who wins sectionals more than they don’t is no shame for Vadrawale and his teammates.

“They're a great team,” said Vadrawale. There’s a lot of nice guys over there. I hope they go win it. I’ve still got guys on both sides -Robbie (Mascheroni) at Campo and a couple of guys over at SRV (including QB Luke Baker. RB Pau Mendoza, ATH Caleb Padrid and WR Trevor Scott).

“It sucks but we’ve got to live with it now.”

Vadrawale has continued to build a strong relationship with the Cal staff and is eager for the next step in his career.

“It’s really good,” noted Vadrawale of his relationship with the staff. “I’m going to be up for the Stanford game (Cal’s 27-20 Big Game win) and get my mind off this game. All I can think about is here right now. But when I get to the next level, I’m going to work the same way I have my whole life to try and get on the field as soon as possible and contribute like I am here.”

The 3 star Cal commit has had a stellar season for Rancho Cotate, adding 76 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick returned for a TD and , 7 pass defended on D and19 receiving TDs plus 2 rushing TDs on O.

Count Nate Kenion, lead coach of Kenion Training and KT Prep Elite, one of NorCal’s top 7-on-7 programs and De La Salle defensive coordinator a fan.

“Sai is the best overall player in the Bay Area in my opinion,” said Kenion. “He is the most explosive player as a DB and probably has some of the best overall WR film, too.”