Penalties costly as Analy takes 31-23 edge in series
The Analy Tigers will maintain a stranglehold on the Golden Apple trophy for at least another year after escaping Forestville on Friday with a hard-fought 14-7 victory over the host El Molino Lions in the 54th meeting between teams.
The win was the eighth straight over the Lions since 2010 and extended the Tiger’s overall lead in the series to 31-23.
“You never know what might happen in the Apple Bowl,” victorious Analy coach James Foster said. “It turned into a very competitive game, but we really hurt ourselves with penalties, which allowed the Lions to stay in the game.”
The annual clash of rivals was not a thing of beauty from a football standpoint, but it did hold plenty of suspense, with the outcome very much in doubt until late in the fourth quarter.
Both teams shot themselves in the foot in the form of penalties, many coming after big gains.
The Tigers drew first blood late in the opening period when quarterback Nic Visser hooked up with receiver Kolby Elledge on a 47-yard competition. Visser finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown scamper for a 7-0 lead. Analy found pay dirt again, with 11 seconds left in the half, when Visser found all-purpose back Tyler Nebozuk on a 12-yard scoring strike to put the Tigers up 14-0 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Lions would make things interesting in the final period.
El Mo senior quarterback, Wyatt Stringfellow, forced into action after an injury to regular starter Jalen Hall last week, nearly pulled off a comeback when a fourth-quarter touchdown pass pulled his team within a touchdown at 14-7.
But the Lions hopes for an upset would come up short on a pair of deep drives into Analy territory: the first ending in an interception in the end zone and the second with a lost fumble at the one yard line. The game ended with the Tigers running out the clock to preserve a 14-7 win.
“Our defense came up with some huge stops in the red zone, and that was the difference in the game,” Foster said later. “Going forward, we have to be more mentally disciplined if we want to be successful.”
Although no official stats were available, the Lions got outstanding efforts from several players, including Stringfellow, running back Sam Wilson-Mietz, and defenders Chase Nicholls, Deddy Coshnear and Colman Hayes.
Turning in strong performances for the Tigers were Visser, running back Kaden Fox, receivers Elledge and Nebozuk and defenders Vince Willis, Danny Chidester and Austin Burnham.
Both teams will enjoy a bye week before kicking off league action on Sept. 28. The Tigers will host Windsor in the Oak Division, while the Lions play host to Santa Rosa in the inaugural Redwood Division opener. Varsity kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
