The Miramonte Matadors varsity football team defeated its Lamorinda rival in a decisive victory. On Friday, October 16th, the sold out crowd at Cougar Stadium sat stunned as they watched in disbelief as Campolindo fell apart, losing 30-7.
Just 56 seconds into the game, Campo senior quarterback Tommy Stephens fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Mats and Campo fans realized they were in for a long night. With 9:20 left in the first quarter, Miramonte junior fullback John Coupin carried the ball five yards up the middle for the first touchdown of the game. Just three minutes later, with 6:19 left, Coupin exploded again, this time for 65 yards.
Following a 14-yard run by senior running back Kevin Paulsen, the Mats were charged with unsportsmanlike conduct, costing them 15 yards. The loss of yardage was no hindrance and Miramonte managed a few more impressive yardage gains before the end of the quarter. The Mats finished the first quarter with a 13-0 lead. Paulsen and sophomore Ross Anderson switched off at quarterback for the visiting Matadors.
Just over a minute into the second quarter, Campolindo's defense forced the Mats to give up the ball just short of the goal line. After gains from Cougar junior halfback Derek Margerum, Campolindo senior running back James Chritton dropped the ball on the turf for Miramonte to pick up.
Following a Matadors three downs and out, Campolindo regained possession. The Cougars quickly gained ground off catches from senior wide receiver Michael Hoffman and Margerum. The drive proved unsuccessful as senior quarterback Tommy Stephens threw into traffic and right into the hands of Matador's sophomore cornerback, Micah Solit.
On one final drive before halftime, Campolindo went for it on fourth down, only to see Stephens sacked in the backfield. Anderson let time run out for the quarter by taking a knee and the half ended with the Matadors up 13-0.
Late in the third, with 2:27 on the clock, Mats' sophomore running back Kevin Booze punched through for a two-yard score.
With 7:20 remaining in the game, the Matador's Anderson ran three yards for yet another Miramonte touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff by junior kicker Anthony Pitanelli, Campolindo's Hoffman fumbled the ball and the Mats recovered it on their own 17 yard line.
They did not find the end zone, but they did find the uprights with a 33-yard field goal from Pitanelli.
With 1:09 left, Stephens lifted hearts a little bit with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hoffman, but that was not enough to stop Miramonte from savoring the sweet victory.
"We played hard, but they came out with more energy and made the big plays" remarked Campo kicker Jarrett Milner. Adding to that was his kicking coach, Mike Ahr. "It's unfortunate; we've got lots of potential, we just didn't show it. We're a far better team than we showed tonight."
Miramonte's part time quarterback, Paulsen said of his first win over Campolindo, "It's a good experience, really nice change putting up big numbers versus Campo." Assistant coach Smalls attributed their success more specifically, "We did an excellent job of moving the chains, and the offensive line really won the game."
Campo falls to under .500, while the Mats even out to 3-3.
Just 56 seconds into the game, Campo senior quarterback Tommy Stephens fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Mats and Campo fans realized they were in for a long night. With 9:20 left in the first quarter, Miramonte junior fullback John Coupin carried the ball five yards up the middle for the first touchdown of the game. Just three minutes later, with 6:19 left, Coupin exploded again, this time for 65 yards. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA