May be final clash due to league restructuring
SEBASTOPOL – The Golden Apple Bowl has held a special place in the hearts of generations of players, coaches and fans in more than five decades of local football history, a game that has transcended west county high school sports in a way that none have since the first meeting between teams in 1965.
Last Friday, Analy High played host to cross-Gravenstein Highway rival El Molino for perhaps the final time in the forseeable future, as the five-time defending league champion Tigers notched a 55-13 homecoming win over the Lions in the 53rd edition of the game.
With high school athletic league realignment coming into effect next fall, Analy and El Molino will be in different divisions in football. That configuration—that separates larger from smaller school athletic programs–will remain in effect until officials review the groupings in two years. That makes it highly unlikely the teams will play each other again until the 2020 season.
This was the Tigers’ seventh straight Golden Apple win and 13th victory in the last 15 meetings, solidifying the shift of gridiron power toward the Sebastopol-based school. It pushed Analy’s overall edge in the series to 30-23.
“We played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Analy head coach James Foster said. “It was great to see the team put together a solid four quarters of football.”
This week, both teams will close out the Sonoma County League campaign on Friday, Nov. 3 in their respective league finales. The Lions (2-2, 4-4) return home to host Sonoma Valley, while the Tigers (4-0, 5-3) look to lock up their sixth straight SCL pennant at Elsie Allen. Kickoff times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Tigers’ offense sinks Lions
Those hoping for a close battle in the 53rd Golden Apple Bowl were disappointed on Friday, as the Tigers posted their seventh straight lopsided win with an offensive explosion in the second quarter.
The Lions were hampered from kickoff, playing without two of their top offensive weapons in injured receivers Jack Fricker and Avery Ransome. They kept it close as junior quarterback Jacob Sani led a couple of long drives in the first quarter. Sani found receiver Andy Junge on a touchdown pass to trail 14-6 at the end of one.
The second quarter belonged to the Tigers, with senior quarterback Brenden Medina leading an aerial assault that would produce another three scores for a 35-6 cushion at the half.
Things didn’t get any closer after the break as the Tigers kept their foot on the gas in the third period. Analy produced scores on three straight drives for a six-touchdown cushion after three before Sani scored El Mo’s second touchdown of the evening on a late 10-yard keeper.
Medina continued a remarkable season with 31 completions on 42 pass attempts for 415 yards and six touchdowns. Leading Tigers receivers were Jacob Ponzo (8-134 yards, 2 TDs), Sam Ballenger (6-103 yards), Nic Visser (6-61 yards), Bennett Simpson (5-75 yards, 2 TDs), Tony Siri (4-48 yards, TD), Tyler Nebozuk (2-22 yards, TD) and Matthew Dupret (1-14 yards). Top rushers were Simpson (9-37 yards) and Theo Kolybakos (3-8 yards.
Leading the El Mo attack were Sani (8-16, 73 yards, TD, 4 yards rushing, TD, 2-15 yards receiving), Sam Wilson (12-53 yards rushing), Jalen Hall (5-25 yards rushing, 2-12 yards receiving), Carmelo Salas (1-5 yards rushing), Junge (4-61 yards receiving, TD) and Wyatt Stringfellow (1-8 yards receiving).
Inspiration from Carson Pforsich highlights pre-game
The highlight of the night actually took place before kickoff, as injured Analy senior Carson Pforsich, speaking over a voice link-up from his room at a Santa Clara physical rehab facility, announced the seniors for both teams in a pre-game ceremony.
Pforsich, who suffered a serious spinal injury during a beach diving accident in September, give his community of well-wishers and his team a huge lift.
“The surprise from Carson was great,” Foster said later. “I think the players were happy to know that he was there with them in spirit.”
His family reports his rehab is proceeding well and that he has been playing interactive video soccer games, and even making it outside to a local farmers’ market and getting into a swimming pool for the first time.
