Running game dominates for Healdsburg in a big way
Last Friday night at Rec Park the Healdsburg Hounds met the Skyline Titans from Oakland in their second home game of the season, coming into the game after two straight losses and a disappointing season last year. In fact, both teams were looking for their first victory of the season, so something had to give.
The Titans won the kick-off toss. Up in the announcer’s booth, Maya Espinoza, a sophomore student at Healdsburg High, sang the National Anthem. With the stadium lights already illuminating the field, the Titan’s kicker sent a low, tumbling kick taken by the Hounds near their own 40-yard line.
The Hounds have adapted a new position lineup, with sophomore quarterback Dylan Hayes stepping back into the pocket and senior Frank Rea focusing on his running game. The offense started its first drive with a handoff to Rea, who scampered for about 6 yards. It was a foretaste of things to come: running plays with both Rea and Luis Valencia dominated the game for the Hounds as both teams ran at and around each other. Hayes threw the ball only nine times, with three completions for just 19 yards—but the two runners piled up a total of 429 yards.
By the end of the first half the score stood at 21-20 Greyhounds, with only an extra point kick separating the two evenly matched teams. During halftime, as the energetic Healdsburg High School Cheer Team performed, there was a growing sense in the stadium that the Greyhounds might find a way to win.
As the Hounds gathered to return to the field over 150 students flooded the field, forming a long human tunnel for the team to run through. With loud and boisterous chanting, the team took off down the tunnel, with senior Frank Rea carrying a HHS Hounds flag.
Every football game has moments when momentum shifts and one team asserts its will and finds a way to win. Both teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, and by the start of the fourth quarter the score remained close, at 29-26.
With interceptions by Elyah Neisingh and punishing runs from Luis Valencia and Frank Rea, the Hounds’ momentum began to build. At the final buzzer Healdsburg prevailed, ending the night celebrating a 45-to-26 victory. Friends and family of the victorious team celebrated as they have been unable to for far too long.
Last Friday night Healdsburg’s offense came alive in a big way, powered by a dominant rushing attack and a pair of outstanding performances in the backfield.
Luis Valencia led the way with a remarkable 234 rushing yards and two touchdowns—tied for seventh all-time for Healdsburg rushing yards in a game. His counterpart, Frank Rea, added 195 rushing yards—which put him at 13th place all-time for Healdsburg rushing yards in a game—and four touchdowns.
Together, the duo accounted for 429 rushing yards and six touchdowns, which helped the Greyhounds put 45 points on the scoreboard. Two game-changing interceptions by Junior Elyah Neisingh aided the offense late in the game.
Coach Taylor Tappin applauded the players’ grit and determination, saying, “They found a way to win when they needed it the most.”
For a program that endured 18 consecutive losses, Friday night’s victory represented much more than another mark in the “win” column. It was a chance for the players, coaches, families and the Healdsburg community to finally celebrate the payoff from the work that continued despite the difficult stretch.
The win improves Healdsburg to 1-2 in the early season and gives the Greyhounds momentum as they prepare to hit the road. Healdsburg travels to Concord on Friday, Sept. 18, to take on Ygnacio Valley High School at 7pm.
Submitted by Manuel J. Ramos (Sunrise Rotary Past President) and staff.
