Golden Apple Bowl Trophy ripe for the taking

FORESTVILLE – The best high school football rivalry west of the
Mississippi will be renewed this Friday, Oct. 15, when the Analy
Tigers visit the El Molino Lions in the annual Golden Apple
Bowl. 
Kickoff times in Forestville starting with the JV game are 5 and
7:30 p.m.
The 46th edition of the West County showdown looks like a
classic match-up of two teams that can light up the scoreboard.
Analy (4-2, 1-1) comes into the game fresh off a 16-14 upset win
over Healdsburg last week, while the Lions (3-3), 0-2) fell to
Petaluma, 35-14 in a disappointing outing on Oct. 8.  
The Tigers have turned the golden Apple Bowl into an annual
victory party in recent years, having won 11 of the past 12
meetings. Although El Mo’s lone win in that stretch came in 2008,
the series remains close, with Analy clinging to a 23-21 overall
edge.   
Last year it was the Tigers in a rout, as they dominated the
game in a 48-7 win at Karlson Field.
The teams look much more evenly matched this season, showcasing
two of the top quarterbacks in the area in El Mo senior Mike
Pierson and Analy Junior Jake Zanutto. 
Pierson, widely regarded as a solid college prospect, will be
looking to throw to favorite receiver and big-play man, senior Joe
Douglass. Other top El Mo weapons are senior receivers Garrit
Afman, Jordan Nordby, and Levi Karns, and junior Chet “The Jet”
Lambert.  Senior running back Tommy Krausmann will get the bulk of
the carries on the ground.
“They have an offense with some weapons so we’ll need to
pressure the quarterback and force them into some predictable
situations,” noted third-year Tiger head coach Dan Bourdon, a
former Analy signal-caller. “I’m confident that our defense can get
the job done.”  
Analy’s top receivers include seniors Julian Titus-Patino and
Issak Olsen, talented sophomore Aaron Maher, and junior Mark Adams.
Senior running back Cooper Maloney is the leading ball-carrier and
a proven work-horse. 
The Analy defense, led by leading tackler, linebacker Dallas
Hamilton, has actually been the key to the Tiger’s success this
season, allowing just 67 points in the first six games. Analy
relies on quickness and agility on the line, putting heat on
opposing quarterbacks.
El Mo, led by linebackers Douglass and Dylan Licciardo, will
need to shore up its defensive effort to have a chance against the
Tigers, with the Lions allowing 136 points in their six games this
year.     
“Their passing game is a concern and they always seem to come up
with reliable receivers that can make plays,” noted El Mo head
coach Mike Roan. “Defensively, they’ve got good speed and their
scheme is hectic, so we’re prepared for a tough game.”     
Fans are encouraged to wear their colors and arrive early, with
a large over-flow crowd expected.