Campolindo loses to Bishop O'Dowd

Home

Archive

Advertise

Contact

Custom Search

Published December 12th, 2018

Campolindo loses to Bishop O'Dowd

By Jon Kingdon

Charlie Craig Photos Gint Federas

In a game where Campolindo needed to play a mistake-free game Dec. 1 and didn't, the Cougars lost to Bishop O'Dowd by a score of 35-14.

Coming into the NCS semifinal game with identical 10-2 records, the 3rd seeded Campolindo Cougars and the 2nd seeded Bishop O'Dowd Dragons seemed to be very evenly matched - Campolindo won their two prior playoff games by scores of 35-6 (vs. Redwood) and 49-14 (vs. Ukiah) while O'Dowd won their games by scores of 35-7 (vs. Hayward) and 49-14 (vs. Benicia). Both teams played Hayward earlier in the season, with Campolindo winning by 27 points and O'Dowd winning by 28 points.

Campolindo dug themselves a big hole early in the game with a fumble and interception on their first two possessions deep in their own territory, which O'Dowd converted into touchdowns, jumping to a quick 14-0 lead. Brandon Manty scored on a 32-yard fumble return for Campolindo, cutting the deficit in half, but O'Dowd answered that with a five-minute drive to go ahead 21-7 at the end of the first half.

After Campolindo stopped O'Dowd on their first drive, forcing a punt, the Cougars were anticipating getting the ball in good field position. However, there was a roughing the kicker penalty on Charlie Craig that allowed O'Dowd to keep the ball and finish off the drive with a touchdown to go ahead 28-7. With the score 35-7, Campolindo quarterback Grant Harper connected on a 60-yard touchdown to Max Schoenberger to make the final score 35-14.

Field position, long a strength for Campolindo, was very much in O'Dowd's favor. Campolindo averaged starting their drive on the 24-yard line while O'Dowd's starting average was the 44-yard line. Though the game was played under a sunny sky, the wind seemed to be a factor for Harper. Finishing the year with a 60 percent completion rate, against O'Dowd, Harper was only 11 for 33 for 199 yards. Still, Harper walked off the field with his head held high: "I loved playing with every one of our seniors. We fought together all year long. It is disappointing but we never gave up and that was our identity."

Campolindo finished the season with a 10-3 record, the eighth straight year the Cougars had at least 10 wins. Macy praised the performance and attitude of his team: "We contained their top back, Austin Jones, never allowing him any big runs. We played hard and we have nothing to be ashamed about. We never gave up. We gave a great effort every play. Our seniors advanced tremendously as a group and as individuals. It was an incredible year."

Grant Harper



		print story Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime. download pdf (use the pdf document for best printing results!)
		Comments
		Send your comment to: info@lamorindaweekly.com Reach the reporter at: sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com

		This article was published on Page C4:

Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home Archive Advertise send artwork to: ads@lamorindaweekly.com Classified ads Lamorinda Service Directory About us and How to Contact us Submit Letter to the Editor Send stories or ideas to: storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com Send sports stories and photos to: sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy Subscribe to receive storylinks by email	Content Civic Lafayette Moraga Orinda MOFD Life Sports Schools Business Food Our Homes Letters/Opinions Calendar
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA