It was a rough week on the high school gridiron for Analy and El Molino varsity football teams, with each weathering disappointing losses in contrasting fashion.
The Lions (1-2) came out on the short end of a 29-27 barnburner to visiting Lower Lake, while the Tigers (0-3) remain in search of their first season win after taking a 55-0 licking at powerful Monte Vista.
Both teams will be on the road back on the field this week when the Lions visit Petaluma on Friday, Sept. 7 (varsity 7:30 p.m.) and the Tigers travel to take on Terra Linda on Saturday, Sept. 8 (7 p.m.).
Lions fall in donnybrook
El Molino played host to visiting Lower Lake in Friday’s tilt in Forestville, a game that was decided in a wild finish. The Lions coughed up a pair of first-quarter fumbles to spot Lower Lake an early 14-0 lead. El Mo answered with one of three eventual touchdowns from all-purpose back Sam Wilson Mietz to cut the deficit to 14-7 but trailed 20-7 at the half.
The Lions’ defense began to stiffen in the third quarter, helping the offense close the gap to 20-14, heading into the final period. Quarterback Jalen Hall directed a pair of fourth quarter scoring drives to bring his team within two points, but El Mo came up short on both two-point conversion tries.
The Trojan’s final score came on a 65-yard kick return on the first of two failed on-side kick attempts for the Lions, and when the dust finally cleared, Lower Lake had escaped with a 29-27 win.
Although no official stats were available, Wilson-Mietz led the offense with three touchdowns, while Hall tallied the other score. Chase Nicholls also played well for the Lions.
“We started out slow, but when we got going we played a heck of a game,” El Mo coach Randy Parmeter said.
Tigers’ forgettable night
It was not a night to remember for the Tigers on Aug. 31, venturing into hostile territory to take on Monte Vista. Analy fought an uphill battle from the start, spotting the Mustangs a 34-0 lead after one quarter. Trailing 43-0 at the half, the game moved to a running clock as Monte Vista coasted to an eventual 55-0 rout.
“It was a tough game,” Tiger’s head coach James Foster said. “Monte Vista has a great program, and that showed on Friday. We have to put that game behind us and look forward to Terra Linda.”
