Cloverdale wraps up outstanding campaign with 6-5 record
There’s something tragic about a group of players celebrating at midfield while others quietly ponder a season-ending loss, but the scene is the ultimate fate for every playoff team but one.
That was the scene for the varsity football Eagles on Saturday as they headed for the bus following a 27-21 heartbreaker at the hands of host St. Vincent in Petaluma in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division-5 playoffs.
The loss signaled the end of a successful 2014 campaign, giving the Eagles a final season record of 6-5.
The Nov. 15 NCS clash with St. Vincent was the second of the year between teams, with Cloverdale using a strong second half to claim a 28-7 victory in the first meeting on Sept. 6.
This time around it was the Mustangs that would benefit from a late rally, erasing a 21-7 third-quarter deficit en route to a six-point win.
The Mustangs drew first blood in the opening period, cashing in on a 69-yard drive with a two-yard scoring run from running back George Sammon for a 7-0 lead at the end of one.
The Eagles forced a Mustang punt in the second quarter to get the ball at midfield, and quarterback Nick Scalabrini finished off a 50-yard march with a one-yard dive. Ivan Jimenez added the PAT kick and the game was knotted 7-7 at the half.
The Eagles took control in an explosive third quarter, as 1000-yard junior running back Luke Bernardi busted loose on a 42-yard touchdown scamper for a 13-7 lead. Fullback Mason Meier turned the trick on the Eagle’s next possession, finding daylight up the right sideline on a 65-yard scoring burst to give Cloverdale a 21-7 advantage.
St. Vincent regained momentum late in the third quarter when quarterback Dominic Pedersen engineered an 80-yard drive culminating in a 24-yard touchdown run by Sammon. The PAT kick failed and the Eagles led 21-13.
Fate dealt the Eagles a cruel blow on their first series in the fourth period, as the Mustangs cashed in on a Cloverdale fumble with another 38-yard scoring run by Sammon. The try for the two-point conversion failed and the Mustangs trailed 21-19.
Following an Eagle’s punt, St. Vincent struck a fatal blow with 6:55 to go when Pedersen connected with receiver Sean Healy on a 25-yard dagger to give the Mustangs a six-point lead. St. Vincent would run out the clock on their final possession, finishing off the game and the Eagles’ season, 27-21.
Luke Bernardi finished up a sensational season with 30 carries for 136 yards rushing and a touchdown, while adding 13 receiving yards. Other offensive leaders were Meier (3-73 yards rushing, TD), Scalabrini (3-18, 24 yards passing), Damon McKinney (1-8 yards receiving), and Adrian Bernardi (1-12 yards receiving).
Leading tacklers included Luis Guitterez (15), Adrian Bernardi (14), Luke Bernardi (9), Meier (7), Damon McKinney (7), Sam “Bone” Swan (7), John Janey (4), Travis Kitowski (3), Tristan Rege (3), Adrian Gonzalez (3), Jose Calvillo, Danny Bernal (2), and John McMillan (1).
All-League honors for Eagles
The All-League team was released this week, with several Eagles landing NCL-1 honors. First team selections included defensive back Luis Guitterez, defensive end John Janey, running back Luke Bernardi, and offensive lineman Travis Kitowski. Running back Mason Meier was named to the Honorable Mention squad.
