 | | | Photo provided | | | | | | For the sixth time in nine years, the Campolindo Cougars (10-3) played in the North Coast Section Championship game. While winning the previous five championship contests in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Cougars came up short in 2019 to finish as the Division 2 Runner Up.
Though a Division 3 school, due to the recent successes, the NCS competitive equity formula pushed Campo up a division to compete in the Division 2 bracket. The Cougars earned a No. 3 seed and hosted the Livermore Cowboys in the first round. Campo rushed 42 times for 263 yards and five touchdowns, including 108 yards on 13 carries from Senior Brandon Manty, and the Cougars advanced with a 41-16 victory.
In the semi-finals, Campo travelled to Napa to play the No. 2 seeded Vintage Crushers (10-1). In a back and forth thriller, the Cougars upset the Crushers, scoring a touchdown in the final 25 seconds of the game to win 28-21 and secure a spot in the NCS Championship Game. Senior Grant Harper threw for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns, including 194 yards to Senior Rex Curtiss.
The Championship game saw the Cougars square off against the No. 1 seed, and eventual State Champions, Clayton Valley Charter - a team that played in the Division I Open semifinals the past three years but were placed in the Division 2 bracket for this season. The Cougars held their own, matching the Ugly Eagles in the first half to a 7-7 tie going into the locker room. Senior Will Windatt had a rushing touchdown and Senior Charlie Craig forced and recovered two fumbles to lead the defense. In the second half, however, CVC controlled the contest winning by a final score of 27-7.
It was another great year for Campolindo. The 2019 campaign saw the Cougars finish with at least 10 wins for the ninth straight season.
"For this group of neighborhood kids to win ten games and make it to the NCS Division 2 Championship game was an incredible accomplishment," said Head Coach Kevin Macy. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA