Divisional games signal end of campaign
Midnight struck for West County high school football teams on Saturday, with both El Molino and Analy falling in their respective North Coast Section playoff games.
The Sonoma County League champion Analy Tigers (6-4) represented the #10 seed in the NCS Division 3 tournament, falling to #7 seeded unbeaten Encinal in Alameda, 42-19.
“It was a tough way to end the season but our guys put up a good fight,” Analy head coach James Foster said. “I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to head the program this year and coach some amazing kids.”
Things started well enough for the Tigers, who found pay dirt in the first quarter for an early lead. Trailing 10-0 in the second, Encinal cranked up their offense with three unanswered touchdowns in the span of eight minutes to grab a 20-10 halftime lead. The Jets put the hammer down after the break, out-scoring Analy 22-9 in the final two periods in powering to a 42-19 win.
Senior quarterback Brenden Medina finished up a great season in completing 17 of 41 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown, while adding 36 yards and a score on the ground. Running back Bennett Simpson was the leading ball carrier with 80 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, Danny Chidester recovered a fumble and Shaun Elledge pulled down an interception.
Slow start sinks Lions
The #15 seeded Lions (4-6) had the task of traveling to face #2 ranked Kennedy of Richmond, fighting an uphill battle most of the game in falling, 42-13.
“We played really well in the second half but not so well in the first,” head coach Randy Parmeter reported. “The season was a little disappointing, with a lot of injuries that kept us from having the success we wanted.”
Quarterback Jacob Sani wrapped up a break-out junior campaign with one touchdown, while junior all-purpose back Sam Wilson-Mietz returned the second half kickoff for the team’s other score.
