Teams looking to rebound at home this Friday
The opening week of the 2018 high school football season was a tough one for Analy and El Molino, with both varsity teams coming out on the wrong end of lopsided scores.
The Tigers opened the schedule with a disappointing 34-3 home loss to a surprising Santa Rosa team, while the Lions dropped a 41-14 decision at perennial power St. Bernard’s in Eureka.
Both teams will be back in the friendly confines this Friday, Aug. 24 when the Tigers host Encinal and the Lions entertain Sonoma Valley. Kickoff times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The 2018 season will look much different in local high school football, following the recent radical league realignment, as five-time Sonoma County League champion Analy moves to the ultra competitive North Bay League Oak Division, along with Cardinal Newman, Rancho Cotate, Windsor, Maria Carrillo and Ukiah.
“We’re excited to compete in the NBL this season,” Analy head coach James Foster said. “It should be good competition every week.”
With senior former standout receiver Nic Visser making his debut as quarterback, the Tigers came up short on several promising drives on Friday against Santa Rosa. Analy spotted the Panthers a 14-3 lead at the half, with kicker Miguel Escamilla accounting for the Tiger’s points with a field goal. The Panthers, who gained over 300 yards on the ground, added three more scores after intermission en route to a 34-3 win.
“It was a tough first game,” Foster noted. “Santa Rosa executed their game plan very well and didn’t make mistakes. We had opportunities to keep the game close but just weren’t able to capitalize.”
Lions fall to Crusaders
Meanwhile in Eureka, the Lions didn’t fare much better against former state champion St. Bernard’s. The Crusaders built a 34-0 lead at the half before the Lions got on the board with second-half touchdowns from backs Sam Wilson and Jordan Hamner in an eventual 40-14 Crusader win.
“We started slow but played well in the second half against their starters,” El Mo coach Randy Parmeter reported, praising the defensive work of Cody Brooke. “We were missing some guys that haven’t been cleared yet but should have them back this week.”
The Lions will compete in the North Bay League Redwood Division, a grouping that figures to be much more kind to smaller schools. Joining El Molino will be Healdsburg, Elsie Allen, Montgomery, Piner and Santa Rosa.
El Mo is also starting a new quarterback, with junior Jalen Hall moving over to run the offense.
