| | Published September 17, 2008
| Campo Stomps Northgate for Win Number Two
| | By Alex Crook |  | |
It was, in a way, an easy game for the Campolindo Cougars varsity football squad Friday as they
opened DFAL play against visiting Northgate.
Campo was coming off a 35-22 season-opening victory against Livermore, while the Broncos were
trying to avenge a 22-19 loss to Tamalpais.
The first quarter saw almost no action until late in the period, when junior quarterback Tommy
Stephens marched his Cougars down the field. The drive set up a one yard score by Anthony
"Rocket" Rodriguez as time expired, and the quarter ended 7-0 Campo.
The second quarter was a little bit more exciting with another Cougar score, a sack, and two runs for
10-plus yards. That was the only score of the second, and the teams went into halftime with Campo
up 14-0.
Rodriguez was primarily in charge of the running game with Kawa "Cookie" Kazzaz entering his
senior season as a Cougar.
After the break, Kazzaz executed a perfect 40-yard run, only to be waved off by a Campolindo
penalty. A minute later, Stephens connected with Tyler Rittenhour for an on-target 25-yard
touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone to extend Campo's lead to 21-0. After what
looked like a Northgate fumble recovered by Campo, the referees agreed that the ball carrier's knee
was down. The very next play, Northgate put the ball on the ground again, and this time, it was
actually a fumble picked up by the Cougar defense.
Campolindo was then able to capitalize on the fumble. Stephens again took his Cougars downfield,
this time hooking up for 15 yards with Miles Macy, just making things worse for Northgate.
Following Ben Rudolph's extra point, the scoreboard read 28-0 Campo.
The final quarter was when Northgate began to find their groove, but unfortunately for the Broncos,
their groove came a little too late.
Late in the quarter, the Broncos were able to drive down the field and punch the ball into the end
zone from one yard out, ruining the Cougars' shutout.
Northgate's onside kick bounced out of bounds, and Patrick Wirth came in at QB for the Cougars,
only to run out the clock and seal the 28-7 Cougar victory.
A couple of former Cougars were in attendance, including Nick Mascheroni, former Cougar wide
receiver from last year's East Bay 2A runner-up team. Mascheroni is slated to play rugby for Cal
next season.
With the win, Campo improved to 2-0 and the Broncos watched their record slip to 0-2.
This year Northgate actually resides in the DVAL instead of the DFAL. Other teams taken out of the
league include College Park, Mt. Diablo and Concord.
Next week, Campo looks to continue its winning ways as the team tries to stretch to 3-0 against
visiting El Cerrito. Campo has yet to play a road game this season.
The winless Broncos, on the other hand, will try to pull themselves together as they head to Walnut
Creek to try their luck with DFAL powerhouse Las Lomas.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA