 | | | John Torchio Photos Gint Federas | | | | | | Don't play poker with Campolindo head coach Kevin Macy. Prior to the Nov. 24 victory over Windsor High School, Macy took a very cautious approach: "Windsor has a good pass rush with big linebackers and a strong passing game." As for his Cougars who were able to play subs for most of last week's game against Maria Carrillo, Macy was not sure that this was an advantage for his team: "There's a fine line between being fresh and stale." In the 13th game of the season, Macy said his team is "still trying to find our identity."
No Clark Kent or Peter Parker in this team. With the 45-14 victory over Windsor, Campolindo has defeated their three playoff opponents - Washington 50-14, Maria Carrillo 44-20 and Windsor 45-14 - by a combined 117-21 in just the first halves of the games.
Once again John Torchio led the Cougars with an all-round performance. Torchio threw three touchdown passes, ran for a touchdown, had a sack, broke up a couple of passes and had an interception. No truth to the rumor that he was working the snack bar at halftime.
Field position proved to be a major advantage for Campolindo. Windsor started 7 of their 8 drives in the first half at their 20 yard line thanks to touchback kickoffs by kicker Seppi Ortman. The one kickoff that did not make the end zone was returned to their 21yard line. Whereas Windsor's average starting drive in the first half was from their 20 yard line, Campolindo's average starting drive was from the Windsor 45 yard line, one time at the Windsor 15 yard line due to a fumbled Windsor punt.
Kyle Luteneker scored on a 1-yard run, Shun Ishida scored on a 52-yard touchdown pass, Parker Windatt caught two touchdown passes for 20 and 60 yards. Lucas Allen closed out the first half scoring with a 16-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback, Grant Harper.
If there was a "stale" aspect to Campolindo, there were several penalties that kept the game from being a complete rout. Macy also felt that "we did not run the ball well tonight."
Macy did compliment his defense, though he added, "There is still room to improve."
The defensive coaches complimented the team on their gang tackling and highlighted linebacker Grant Larsen who had an interception.
The Cougars will be playing Granada at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Dublin High School.
Having defeated Petaluma High School in their first playoff game by a score of 63-25, Acalanes knew they were facing a much better opponent Nov. 18 as they took on Bishop O'Dowd High School. Battling right to the end of the game, Acalanes went down by a score of 36-21.
O'Dowd coach Napoleon Kaufman was well aware of what he needed to defeat Acalanes: "Robbie Rowell is more than just a quarterback. He is a genuine threat as a runner as well."
Rowell did not disappoint completing 18 of 35 passes for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Under constant pressure all day, Rowell was sacked six times by the O'Dowd defense led by senior Isaiah Henry who had three sacks. Acalanes coach Floyd Burnsed knew it was going to be a difficult matchup: "This was the best team we faced this year. They had a very good outside speed rush but we did adjust in the second half and improved our pass blocking."
Acalanes scored on their first drive with Rowell completing a 41-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Mc Namara, completing an 80-yard drive
Field position was soon to play a key role in the game. When O'Dowd was forced to punt after their second possession, the ball rolled down at the Acalanes 6 yard line. Under heavy pressure in his own end zone, Rowell was called for intentional grounding, giving O'Dowd a safety. After a kickoff that went out of bounds, O'Dowd took over on the Acalanes 45 yard line, O'Dowd quarterback eventually scored on a 4-yard run.
O'Dowd started three of their drives inside Acalanes territory at the 45, 37, 25 yard lines, amassing a total of 411 yards (170 passing and 241 yards rushing). Acalanes totaled 366 yards (217 passing and 49 yards rushing).
Down 36 to 7 early in the second half, Acalanes continued to move the ball, scoring two touchdowns on Rowell passes to Chris Rogers bringing the score 36-21. Rogers went on to catch 7 passes for 93 yards. Try as they might, O'Dowd was unable to put Acalanes away. The Dons defense rose to the occasion in the second half, keeping the Dons in the game, preventing O'Dowd from scoring on three drives when they got inside the Acalanes 10 yard line. Nick Henderson led the Dons with 12 tackles and Ryan Nall had 6 tackles with 3 tackles for loss.
Burnsed took a lot of positives out of the game: "There was no quit in the team. We put in a great effort and no question this was a successful season for us."
Unlike Campolindo and Acalanes, who had laughers in their opening playoff game, Miramonte High School opened their playoff run Nov. 10 with a comeback victory over El Cerrito by a score of 31-30 that will be long remembered.
Down 30-19 after an El Cerrito touchdown, Miramonte marched down the field to score with 3:25 left in the game on a 26 yard Will Cassriel pass to Ethan Fischler.
After recovering the onside kick, the game came down to a 4th and 17 play on the El Cerrito 36 yard line. Under a lot of pressure Cassriel scrambled around until he was able to find Fischler in the end zone for the winning touchdown.
Peter Stehr played a complete game rushing 18 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns while making 10 tackles on defense. Sam Walker once again led the Matadors with 14 tackles.
In their next playoff game, Miramonte faced Marin Catholic in what seems to becoming an annual postseason matchup. With both teams combining for over 1,000 yards and the lead going back and forth seven times, Marin Catholic defeated Miramonte 49-39, the Matadors concluding with an 8-4 record.
On the first play of the game, Marin Catholic scored on a 90-yard pass to Ben Skinner. Miramonte answered with a 30-yard Cassriel pass to Fischler. Cassriel would go on to complete 23 of 33 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns and one interception, running 10 times for 71 yards and one touchdown. Fischler ended up with eight receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Stehr ran 19 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns, amassing a total of 1,693 yards for the season.
Late in the third quarter, Miramonte went up for the last time 39-35 on a touchdown pass to Sam Walker.
Gaven Cook then took a screen pass for 78 yards to put Marin Catholic ahead 42-35 and Cook then intercepted a pass at the Miramonte 17 yard line leading to their final touchdown.
Sam Walker had 7 tackles and 6 receptions. Keilan Stone led the Matadors with 10 tackles.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA