Analy, El Mo footballers notch pre-season wins

The Lions and Tigers emerged from week three of the fall
football campaign with impressive victories, as El Mo pounded Elsie
Allen, 49-19, while Analy powered past San Marin, 37-22. 
This Saturday, Sept. 26, the Lions (1-2) travel to Piner, with
JV and varsity games set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Tigers (3-0)
will take on Santa Rosa at Ernie Nevers Field on Saturday night,
with kickoff times scheduled for 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Lions notch win   
Forestville fans were breathing a heavy sigh of relief on Friday
at Elsie Allen, as the Lions recorded their first “W” of the
season. 
“It was good to get a win and restore some much-needed
confidence,” said El Mo coach Mike Roan. “We had good field
position for most of the first half and had some players step up
and have great games.”
The outcome of this one was decided early, as junior quarterback
Michael Pierson directed a pair of first-quarter scoring drives
that had the Lions up 14-0 by the end of one.
Junior running back Tommy Krausmann took over the rushing duties
midway through the first quarter, after starting senior back Quante
Brinson was lost due to a severely injured ankle.
The Lions gained separation in the second quarter, taking
advantage of great field position to mount a pair of scoring drives
culminating in a 37-yard pass to big-play junior Joe Douglass,
followed by a two-yard touchdown run by junior Garrit Afman for a
28-0 halftime lead.
Junior return man Jordan Nordby left nothing to chance,
returning the third-quarter kickoff 85 yards to the house for a
35-0 bulge.  The Lions found pay-dirt again when Krausmann dove
over from two yards out for another score. The Lobos clawed back
with a touchdown at the end of the third, and another pair of
scores in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 42-19. Afman would
cap the Lion’s fireworks in the final quarter with a 30-yard
interception return for the game’s final touchdown and a 49-19 El
Mo victory.         
Krausmann turned in a great debut in leading the El Mo ground
attack with over 100 yards rushing. Pierson turned in his best
effort of the season with two rushing touchdowns and one through
the air. Lion’s kicker Josh Hainer converted all seven PAT
attempts.
Tigers still unbeaten
Analy continues to be the surprise team of the North Bay,
logging another win over a worthy opponent.  Visiting San Marin
served as the Tiger’s latest victim, falling prey to another fast
start by the Analy offensive unit.
“We’ve got some young guys that are playing pretty well right
now,” said Analy head coach Dan Bourdon. “I feel like we’ve got
good depth and we’re playing great defense, but we need these wins
because we know league will be very tough.”
The Tigers drew first blood against San Marin early in the
opening quarter when quarterback Jake Zanutto capped a solid march
with a 20-yard scoring pass to Julian Titus-Patino. Sal Torres
followed with the first of his eventual four PAT boots for a 7-0
lead. Analy went up by two scores by the end of one when junior
back Cooper Maloney dove over from a yard out for a 14-0 bulge.
A pair of second-quarter drives resulted in a 37-yard Torres
field goal, followed by a 12-yard scoring strike from Zanutto to
receiver Ryan Beretta and the Tigers led, 24-7 at the break.
After a scoreless third period, the Mustangs fought back with a
pair of touchdowns, but Maloney would seal the deal with a one-yard
scoring burst, followed by a game-clinching, 51-yard interception
return en route to an eventual, 37-22 win.
Analy offensive leaders
Passing: Zanutto (13-24, 206 yards, 2 TDs),
Receiving: Chris Bostock (5-121 yards), Beretta (3-35 yards,
TD), Titus-Patino (5-38 yards, TD), Issak Olsen (2-12 yards).
Rushing: Maloney (11-62 yards, 2 TDs), Nick Calkins (8-45
yards).
Defensive leaders
Olsen (12 tackles, 5 assists), Dallas Hamilton (9 tackles, 6
assists), Mark Adams (3 tackles, 5 assists), Titus-Patino (3
tackles 4 assists), Brandon Riebli (4 tackles, assist), Calkins (4
tackles, assist), and interceptions from Maloney and Eli
Alcantar.