Windsor sets tone with big win; visits Northgate on Friday
The varsity football Jaguars staged a coming-out party in their season opener on Friday, jumping out to a big first-half lead en route to a 42-7 romp over Petaluma.
Originally scheduled as a home game, the contest was moved to Cardinal Newman earlier in the week when Windsor’s home field was deemed unplayable, the result of a compaction test done on the all-weather turf field installed in 2009.
At press time a meeting was scheduled this week with officials of the Windsor Unified School District, including Superintendent Steve Jorgensen, and the installation company (Mondo-Turf) to determine warranty issues and the best course of action to rectify the problem. A possible site for future home games was also being explored.
The Jaguars (1-0) will resume pre-league action this Friday, Sept. 2 when they visit Northgate in Walnut Creek. The JV and varsity kick off at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Jags stun Trojans
On Friday, the Jags played like they never left the friendly confines, capitalizing on early Trojan miscues with a pair of first-quarter touchdown bursts from senior running backs David Escarcega (10 yards), and Jackson Baughman (2 yards) to grab a 14-0 lead.
“Petaluma had a couple of turnovers that gave us a short field and we took advantage of it,” Windsor head coach Tom Kirkpatrick said. “As young as we are our guys up front did a good job and our backs (Escarcega and Baughman) really played well.”
Senior quarterback Kobe Roman looked every bit the seasoned veteran in his debut under center, directing the Jags on second-quarter scoring drives culminating in another eight-yard run from Baughman, following by a one-yard scoring plunge by running back Alezzio Stra to put Windsor up 28-0 at the half.
There was no let-up in sight from the swarming Windsor defense in the third quarter, as Roman found pay-dirt on a 10-yard keeper for a 35-0 bulge at the end of three.
With a running clock in effect, the Trojans avoided the shutout to score on a 10-yard run, but Baughman returned the favor when he returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the house for a final score of 42-7.
By any measure, Windsor’s 2016 debut was an impressive one, given their relative lack of varsity experience up and down the roster.
“We made a few mistakes with guys out of position and some other things, but overall it was a good way to start the season,” Kirkpatrick noted. “I was happy with the way our quarterback played; he kept his composure and did pretty well in his first game (at the position).”
Roman finished up a solid night under center, completing 11 of 20 pass attempts for 149 yards and one rushing touchdown. Other outstanding efforts were had by Baughman (6-57 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 90 yard TD on kickoff return), Escarcega (5-55 yards rushing, TD), Jorgen Sarganas (4-42 yards receiving), and Jordan Diaz (3-53 yards receiving). Defensive leaders were Jarrod Mulholland (11 tackles) and Joey Pignataro (10 tackles).
