Teams looking to rebound this Friday in Homecoming games
Week one of the North Bay League football campaign didn’t go as scripted for Analy and El Molino varsity teams on Friday, both weathering losses in their respective division openers.
The Tigers played one of their best games of the season with no reward, dropping a 38-31 shootout to visiting Windsor, while the Lions fell to Santa Rosa, 43-12.
Both teams will be back in action this Friday, Oct. 5, in their respective Homecoming games, as Analy hosts Maria Carrillo and El Mo entertains Piner. Kickoff for the JV and varsity are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers (0-1, 2-4) figure to have another test against Maria Carrillo (0-1, 3-3), which is coming off a 70-35 drubbing at the hands of Ukiah.
“It was a disappointing loss to Windsor, but I’m happy with the improvements we’ve made as a team,” Analy head coach James Foster said. “Maria Carrillo is a good team, and we have to play disciplined football if we’re going to come away with a victory.”
El Molino (0-1, 1-5) is in particular need of a win this week against a solid Piner squad, which stands at an even 3-3 on the year. Veteran El Mo coach Randy Parmeter didn’t hesitate when asked what the key to victory was this week.
“Execute,” he said.
Jaguars outlast Tigers
Analy entered Friday’s home clash with Windsor knowing they had to stop the Jags’ vaunted ground game, but had only limited success on that end. Windsor running back Lorenzo Leon followed a strong push by the offensive line to set the tone early, as the Jags took a 10-7 lead after one.
Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, Analy mounted a stirring comeback, fueled by big plays by quarterback Nic Visser, receivers Tyler Nebozuk, Kolby Elledge and Vince Willis. A late field goal by kicker Miguel Escamilla put the Tigers up 24-17 at the break.
Windsor came out with renewed intensity in the third quarter, mounting a scoring drive to knot the contest at 24-all at the end of three.
The Jaguars took control in the final period, scoring a pair of touchdowns to open up a sizable lead.
The Tigers managed one score in the fourth quarter but would eventually fall, 38-31.
“Our guys kept battling for four quarters, but Windsor’s running game did well all night,” Foster noted. “Their receivers made catches in key situations which made the difference.”
Visser finished up a stellar night, completing 23 of 38 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns, while adding nine carries for 40 yards. Top receivers were Nebozuk (6-125 yards, 2 TDs), Elledge (3-102 yards) and Willis (3-22 yards, TD, 99-yard kick return TD).
Pforsich calls TD
Former Tigers’ standout and 2018 graduate Carson Pforsich, seriously injured in a swimming accident last year, was in the press box in Friday’s JV game against Windsor, helping to jump-start a sluggish offense. Trailing by two scores, Pforsich spotted a hole in the Jags’ defense and called down a play, which resulted in Analy’s first touchdown. The play proved to be the turning point in the game, as the Tigers went on to pull out a 14-13 victory.
Lions fall to Panthers
El Mo drew a tough assignment in their Redwood Division opener with visiting Santa Rosa, spotting the Panthers an insurmountable 36-6 lead at the half. Trailing 43-6 after three, the Lions found paydirt on the game’s final play to fall 43-12.
“Santa Rosa was too big and physical, and we weren’t able to stop them effectively,” Parmeter said. “Our guys did play hard and never gave up.”
Running back Sam Wilson-Mietz continued a remarkable season, scoring the first of two El Molino touchdowns on a 30-yard run.
Defender Ryan Palmer’s fumble recovery set up the Lion’s final score — a Jackson Dunkle touchdown with no time left on the clock.
