It was a mixed bag for West County footballers last week, as the
Lions continued their resurgence with a 14-7 win at Sonoma, while
the Tigers fell to Casa Grande, 23-3.
This Friday, Analy (4-4,1-3) will travel to Petaluma, and El Mo
(5-3, 2-2) entertains unbeaten Windsor in Forestville. Game times
starting with the JV are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Lions notch fifth win
These are good times for El Molino football and its legion of
fans, as the Lions take aim at their first post-season berth in
seven years.
El Mo took another big step in that direction on Friday at
Sonoma, defeating the Dragons for the first time in more than a
decade.
The Lions went into the game at Arnold Field without the
services of a few key players, including starting quarterback Mike
Pierson and running back Tommy Krausmann. Throw in a possible Apple
Bowl hangover and it was not a recipe for success.
“It was about Wednesday before our guys stopped talking about
the Analy game and started to focus on Sonoma,” said El Mo head
coach Mike Roan. “I’m not sure when the last time we beat Sonoma
was, so it was nice to get a win.”
The game was a defensive battle throughout a scoreless first
half as both teams threatened but couldn’t capitalize on their few
scoring chances. The Dragons drew first blood to open the third
quarter when return-man Dylan Severson took the kickoff and raced
66 yards to the house for a 7-0 Sonoma lead.
The Lions answered on their next possession when quarterback
John Carlson directed a scoring drive culminating in an eight-yard
scoring burst from senior all-purpose back Joe Douglass. The
two-point conversion try failed and El Mo trailed 7-6 at the end of
three.
The Lions got the game-winner early in the fourth quarter when
Carlson found pay-dirt on a 14-yard keeper. He then found Douglass
in the corner of the end zone for the two-pointer, giving the Lions
a 14-7 lead. El Mo’s defensive unit took it from there, throttling
the Dragon offense the rest of the way to preserve a 14-7 win.
Carlson finished off a solid night under center, completing 10 of
15 passes for 95 yards, adding another 15 yards on the ground with
a score. Douglass was nothing less than spectacular, rushing 24
times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Regular receiver Chet “The
Jet” Lambert also chipped in 11 carries for 51 yards.
Leading defenders included Dylan Licciardo (6 tackles, 3
assists), Garrit Afman (6, 2), Douglass (5 tackles), Dalton
Hemphill (4 tackles, sack), Aren Vierra (2,1), Jordan Nordby (2
tackles), Eric Reab (2 tackles), Spencer Hansen (1,1), Calvin
Sandeen (sack), and a tackle apiece from Levi Karns, and Jared
Garner.
Injury update
Pierson is expected back this Friday after suffering a
concussion against Analy on Oct. 15. Krausmann may miss the
remainder of the season with a separated shoulder. Kicker Taylor
Davis also remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Tigers fall to Gauchos
Analy drew a tough assignment in Friday’s home clash with
perennial power Casa Grande at Karlson Field, especially following
an Apple Bowl loss a week earlier.
The Tigers spotted Casa a quick touchdown when Lucas Weston took
the opening kickoff 80 yards to the house for a 7-0 lead at the end
of one. The Gauchos busted it wide open with a pair of scores in
the second period to grab a decisive, 21-0 lead at the break.
After giving up a safety early in the third quarter, the Tigers
avoided the shutout when a promising drive stalled at the Casa 16,
resulting in a 33-yard field goal from Omar Galvan. The teams
battled through a scoreless final period as the Gauchos powered to
a 23-3 win.
“Our defense played well, only giving up two touchdowns,” said
Analy coach Dan Bourdon. “We just need to find some consistency on
offense to sustain drives. We’re looking to get back into the win
column to re-gain our confidence.”
Quarterback Jake Zanutto led the offense, completing 11 of 22
passes for 72 yards. Leading rushers were Cooper Maloney (16-47)
and Jeff Silveria (1-10). Top receivers were Issak Olsen (3-43),
Aaron Maher (2-8), Maloney (2-14), Mark Adams (1-5), and Julian
Titus-Patino (1-3).
Leading defenders included Matt Anderson (5 tackles), Maloney (4
tackles, 2 assists), James Toliver (3, 2), Olsen (2, 5), Dallas
Hamilton (2, 4, sack), Dylan Anderson (2, 4), Silveria (2, 1),
Tanner Fox (1, 4), Joe Clemmer (1, 1), Titus-Patino (1, 1), Jimmy
Pitkin (1, 1), and Maher (1 tackle).
