Analy and El Molino varsity football squads put an emphatic
stamp on a strong pre-season on Saturday, notching a pair of
impressive non-league road victories.
The Lions (2-2) logged a sun-drenched 34-16 win over the Piner
Prospectors, while the unbeaten Tigers (4-0) powered past the Santa
Panthers, 35-16.
Both teams will open the Sonoma County league campaign this
Friday, Oct. 2, as the Lions host Petaluma, while the Tigers travel
to face Healdsburg at Recreation Park. JV and varsity kickoff
times are set for 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Lions show heart, stamina in win over Piner
The Lions turned in their best overall effort of the season at
Piner, overcoming 103-degree heat and key injuries to post a
lop-sided win.
El Mo benefited from some great performances from several key
players, including quarterback Michael Pierson, running back Tommy
Krausmann, and H-Back Joe Douglass on offense, and cornerback
Jordan Nordby, linebackers TJ Monticello and Dakota Lerner-Ross,
and linemen Jared Garner and Matt Howard on defense.
The courageous effort by an undermanned squad was not lost on
head coach Mike Roan.
“It was a tough day to play football, but we knew it was just as
hot for the other team,” said Roan. “It was an important momentum
game heading into the league season, and it gave us some positive
energy coming out of there with a win.”
The Prospectors drew first blood on their opening possession,
connecting on a 50-yard touchdown pass for an early, 7-0 lead. The
Lions came right back midway through the period when Pierson hooked
up with Douglass on a 67-yard scoring strike. Josh Hoener added the
PAT boot to knot the game at 7-7.
El Mo’s big-play defender Jordan Nordby would serve notice on
Piner’s next series, picking off a pass and returning it 50 yards
to the Prospector 15. Lady Luck embraced the Lions on the ensuing
series, when tight end TJ Monticello caught a pass and fumbled into
the Piner end zone, where the ball was recovered by Dakota
Lerner-Ross for an El Mo touchdown.
With the Lions leading 13-7, Piner inexplicably tried to convert
a fourth and short from its own 29 yard line, but was stuffed by
the El Mo defense. The Lions cashed in a few plays later when
Lerner-Ross hauled in a pass at the Piner two. The play set up a
two-yard scoring plunge from Krausmann. Pierson found Douglass on
a pass for the two-point conversion and the Lions led, 21-7.
Moments later, Nordby intercepted his second pass of the half
and returned it to the Piner two-yard line. Krausmann sealed the
deal with another two-yard dive to make it a 27-7 ballgame. The
Prospectors capped the first half scoring with a 19-yard field goal
to make it 27-10 at the break.
The scorching heat was taking its toll in the second half, with
players on both sides feeling the effects. After a scoreless third
quarter, Nordby’s third pick of the afternoon helped set up the
Lion’s final score, a four-yard scoring burst from Krausmann en
route to a 34-16 win.
Pierson turned in his best game of the season, completing 12 of
22 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. Krausmann, all of 135
pounds, defied the laws of physics in carrying the ball 30 times
for 121 yards and three scores.
Leading El Mo tacklers were Monticello (9), Douglass (7), Garner
(6), Nordby (5 tackles, 3 INTs), and Howard (4).
Tigers overcome mistakes, roll over
Panthers
For the second straight year, Analy enters the league season
unbeaten after posting a 35-16 win over Santa Rosa.
The game was a character-builder for talented sophomore
quarterback Jake Zanutto, who tossed four interceptions, including
one pick-six, but countered with four touchdown passes.
The game started well enough for the Tigers as Zanutto
engineered a first-quarter scoring march, culminating in a one-yard
keeper. Sal Torres added the PAT kick for a 7-0 lead. The Tigers
struck again midway through the period when Zanutto hooked up with
receiver Ryan Beretta on a 21-yard scoring strike for a 14-0 bulge.
The Panthers clawed back with a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it
14-7 Analy at the break.
Disaster struck early in the third quarter when Santa Rosa
defender Jaden Roselli picked off a Zanutto pass and raced 51 yards
to knot the contest at 14-all. It would prove to be the final
highlight of the game for the Panthers.
Zanutto shook off the misfortune, finding speedy receiver Chris
Bostock on a 51-yard lightening bolt, and capped the next Tiger
possession with a 14-yard scoring strike to Beretta for a decisive
28-14 advantage. Analy ended any Panther upset hopes late in the
third quarter when Zanutto hit Bostock with a six-yard dagger for a
35-14 lead. The Tigers gave up a Panther safety late in the final
period for an eventual. 35-16 win.
Zanutto finished up his night with 15 of 29 pass completions for
282 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper Maloney led the Tiger
running game (7-26 yards rushing), while the top receivers included
Bostock (4-106 yards, 2 TDs), Beretta (5-68, 2 TDs), and Julian
Titus-Patino (5-89 yards). Torres averaged 55.4 yards per kickoff
and 54 yards per punt.
Leading Analy defenders were Robert Leon (9 tackles, assist),
Issak Olsen (3 tackles, 7 assists), Dallas Hamilton (3 tackles, 7
assists), Torres (2 tackles, 6 assists), Maloney (2 tackles, 2
assists), Eli Alcantar (tackle, 3 assists, INT), Kia Fuivia
(tackle, 3 assists, INT), James Libby (3 tackles), Brandon Riebli
(2 tackles, 4 assists), Maloney (2 tackles, 2 assists), and Bostock
(2 tackles).
