The 33rd edition of the Kiwanis all-star high school football
game at Bailey Field in Santa Rosa on Friday lived up to all
expectations both on and off the field.
Re-named the Richard Bigham Memorial All-Star Bowl Game for the
longtime Kiwanis organizer and supporter who died unexpectedly last
fall, this year¹s clash pitting the graduating senior all-stars
from the North Bay League against the Sonoma County League was a
showcase of talent, sportsmanship and on-field excitement. In a
contest marked by big plays, the SCL powered to a 35-20 win.
Unlike last year¹s game, which was marred by trash talk and bad
blood, Friday¹s contest was brimming over with good will and
camaraderie on both sides.
³This was a good group of kids that got along well and really
gelled as a team,² said SCL head coach Gale Bach, assisted by his
entire Healdsburg coaching staff. ³As coaches, we talked about the
type of game we wanted to have, and it worked out the way we hoped
it would.²
The SCL co-champion Greyhounds were well-represented with
participating stars: quarterback Mitch Sindle, receiver/defensive
back Andrew Rogers, defensive back Nolan Rege, running back Chad
Matteri, defensive end Kyle Jackson, linebacker Aaron Fore, lineman
Miguel Flores and receiver/defensive back Justin Arowcavage.
³It was great getting to know all of these guys,² said Rogers,
who starred on both sides of the ball and cited a team barbecue
last week as a key in bringing the players together. ³I think our
closeness as a team carried over to the field tonight.²
The NBL drew first blood on its opening drive when Rancho Cotate
quarterback Grady Sheehy directed an 80-yard march, capped by a
two-yard scoring plunge from Maria Carrillo running back Will
Hinkle to stake their team to a 7-0 lead at the end of the first
quarter.
The SCL answered midway through the second period when Casa
Grande quarterback Chris Forni scampered 36 yards on a draw play to
knot the game at 7-7. Moments later, Casa running back and all-time
SCL yardage leader Joe Trombetta broke loose on a 53-yard bolt, the
first of several big runs on the night. The play set up a four-yard
scoring strike from Forni to Gaucho receiver Frankie Barone to put
the SCL up 14-7at the half.
The SCL stars gained separation in the third quarter when Sindle
found big-play teammate Arowcavage on a 78-yard bomb, putting their
team up 21-7. The NBL countered on its next possession when Sheehy
found receiver Robbie Bloyd with a 21-yard scoring pass, cutting
the deficit to 21-14.
The SCL quickly re-gained momentum when a long pass from Sindle
to Rogers, followed by a miracle fourth-down conversion at the
two-yard line set up another score. On the fourth-down play, Analy
running back Mark Ryan hauled in a deflected pass near the goal
line. The big conversion led to a two-yard touchdown plunge by
Trombetta and a 28-14 lead.
Forni put the contest out of reach in the fourth quarter when he
scampered 52 yards on another keeper, giving the SCL a
three-touchdown advantage. The NBL capped the fireworks with a
two-yard scoring pass in garbage time for a final score of
35-20.
The victory gave the SCL an 8-7 lead in the all-star game
series, since the teams began playing each other in 1992.
