Week six of the high school football season was marked by victory, defeat and emotion for local teams on Friday, as Analy and El Molino took the field for a pair of varsity home games.
The Tigers played host to perennial power Marin Catholic with heavy hearts, standing on the 13-yard line in a tribute to teammate Carson Pforsich during the National Anthem. The senior receiver and defensive back sustained a serious spinal cord injury in a swimming accident on Sept. 24 that has left him partially paralyzed.
Pforsich has regained some feeling in his upper extremities and was recently moved to a rehab center in Santa Clara. He continues to show improvement.
Tigers clawed by ‘Cats
Analy’s clash with the Wildcats seemed insignificant under the circumstances, with the visitors dominating the game from start to finish in a 56-0 rout.
Although highlights were few and far between, offensive leaders for the Tigers included Jacob Ponzo (5-73 yards receiving), Tony Siri (5-40 yards receiving) and running back Bennett Simpson (11-43 yards rushing).
The Tigers (1-0, 2-3) will be back on the gridiron this Friday, Oct. 6 when they visit Sonoma Valley. The Dragons (1-1, 1-3) suffered a 56-6 loss to Petaluma last week.
Lions win homecoming game
The Lions enjoyed a winning homecoming on Friday in the annual “Battle for the Paddle” against Healdsburg, overcoming a slow start with an explosive second half to post a 27-10 victory.
Healdsburg drew first blood in the opening period, as quarterback Alex Dijorio hooked up with receiver Jacob Numainville on a 67-yard bomb for a 7-0 advantage.
The Greyhounds were on the march early in the second quarter when Dijorio found Eddie Smith on a 45-yard pass play, setting up a 39-yard field goal from Sergio Cano as the Hounds took a 10-0 lead.
The Lions awoke from their early slumber moments later when return man Jordan Hamner took the ensuing kickoff and raced 79 yards to the house. The PAT kick failed and Healdsburg led 10-6. Late in the quarter, the Hounds’ defense came up big with a goal line stand to preserve its 10-6 edge at the half.
It was all El Molino from there, opening up the third quarter with a drive resulting in a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Sani to big-play receiver Jack Fricker. Carmelo Salas added the PAT boot and the Lions had their first lead of the ballgame at 13-10.
El Molino gained separation in the fourth quarter, finding pay dirt on a 71-yard scamper by running back Sam Wilson-Mietz to open up a 20-10 lead. The Lions iced the contest later in the period on a one-yard keeper by Sani en route to a 27-10 win.
The Lions will enjoy a bye on the schedule this week and will resume league action on Oct. 13 at Elsie Allen.
