Knowing that its opponent was playing with its back against the wall, visiting Miramonte came exploding out of the gates on Friday night at Acalanes, scoring 19 first-quarter points and holding off a mid-game charge from the host Dons to win 46-34 in a game that not only strengthens the Matadors’ post-season resume, but also eliminated Acalanes from becoming playoff eligible.
Acalanes twice pulled within five points in the second half, after what had been a 20-point lead at one point in the second quarter. A 95-yard Nick Kresnak to Lucas Eppinger touchdown pass with 7:17 left in the third quarter made it 33-28 in favor of Miramonte, but the Matadors responded right away with a long touchdown pass from Matt Meredith to Scott Linney for a 39-28 advantage. The Dons embarked on another scoring drive as the third quarter ticked down, scoring on a touchdown pass from Kresnak to Jake Delaney, Kresnak’s fifth scoring toss of the night. The two-point conversion was no good, leaving the score at 39-34 with 1:39 left in the third.
After both defenses settled back in during the fourth quarter, Miramonte put the game out of reach when Henry Vacakis reached the end zone with 2:31 left in the game, his second scoring run of the night.
The first quarter was both a dream for Miramonte and a nightmare for Acalanes, who needed a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive. Meredith connected with Keilan Stone for a three-yard touchdown pass, midway through the quarter, and Acalanes gave the ball right back with a fumble on its own 34-yard line. It took the Matadors all of one play to take advantage of the turnover, as Meredith hit Reed Callister for the 34-yard score and an early 13-0 lead. A 27-yard jaunt by Vacakis with less than a minute remaining in the first made it 19-0 before Acalanes began to recover.
"Our offense has been getting progressively better all season, with a balanced attack, and that proved to be true again in this game," Callister said. "We were able to air the ball out all game long, and beat their secondary. We are now looking to carry over this offensive momentum going into our game against Campo, as well as the playoffs."
The Dons did cut into the lead when Kresnak hit Delaney for the first time, midway through the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 12 points, but Miramonte responded less than a minute later on a 17-yard touchdown run by Tyler Lowe. The two-point conversion made it 27-7, but it took Acalanes only 41 seconds to cut back into the lead again, this time as Kresnak hit Chris Rogers for a long touchdown pass, and the teams went to halftime with Miramonte leading 27-14.
Acalanes opened the third quarter much the same as it finished the second quarter, with Kresnak hitting Rogers for another long score, and cutting the lead to six points, at 27-21. But the Matadors, as they did all night, responded when Meredith hit Callister for an 85-yard score, increasing the lead back to 12 points, 33-21.
Hayward win over Tennyson creates three-way tie
A big fourth quarter carried Hayward past Tennyson on Friday night, 30-20, creating a three-way tie atop the WACC-Shoreline standings.
The Farmers were the beneficiaries of two huge plays on special teams in the fourth quarter, as Nelson Suisala and Asi Bailey were there to block a field goal attempt, and a bad snap on a punt handed Hayward the ball at the Tennyson three-yard line, where they converted with a touchdown pass from Ramon Barraza to Gustavo Cirqueira. Junior Reggie Garrett, who ran for close to 150 yards in the game, also broke loose for a long scoring run in the fourth, as a back-and-forth game went in the direction of the Farmers.
“I’m so proud of these kids. We have two captains out with injuries, and it has been a tough season, with a lot going on,” said Hayward coach Justin Redemer. “But they are still fighting, and they have a lot to be proud of.”
Redemer also deflected plenty of credit to the Lancers, who entered the game unbeaten in league play, including a win over Alameda, who handed Hayward its only loss in the division.
“Those three kids they have in the backfield are pretty amazing,” said Redemer, referring to running backs Ja’kobe Harris and Quincy Bass, plus quarterback Mustafa Nassirruddin. “We really tried to wear them down when we were on offense, especially going at their two-way guys. Our line play was really good, and our defense did a great job containing, rallying to the ball, and taking away the cutback lanes. We have enough team speed to corral most teams.”
Hayward closes out the regular season against Mt. Eden, looking to finish with a share of the regular season league crown.
“It’s going to be (Mt. Eden’s) playoff game,” Redemer said. “They are going to bring a ton of intensity, so we need to be at our best.”
Around the NCS
St. Bernard’s outlasted Fortuna in overtime, 56-54, behind eight total touchdowns from junior quarterback Will Omey. Omey threw for seven touchdowns and ran for another in the huge win for the Crusaders, who partially avenged last year’s one-point loss to the Huskies in the section semifinals. Omey connected with Lane Thrap in overtime, and Justin Hagler – who had three touchdown catches – ran in the game-winning two-point conversion.
Antioch's defense stopped Deer Valley quarterback Josh Scott at the three-yard line as time expired on Friday night, allowing the Panthers to hold on for a 28-20 victory in the annual Mayor's Cup. Deer Valley needs a win next week against Freedom in order to become playoff eligible.
Kennedy-Richmond rallied from a 14-point deficit, scoring 26 unanswered points to beat St. Patrick-St. Vincent 40-28 in TCAL-Rock action. The Eagles’ win sets up a battle with Salesian next week for second place in the division, while continuing to bolster their playoff seeding resume.
Austin Jones ran for three touchdowns and Moe Flynn threw for three more scores, two of them to Jelani Warren, as Bishop O’Dowd cruised past Castro Valley, 49-13, to stay unbeaten in the WACC-Foothill.
Alex Aguero ran for 265 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries, including 201 yards and three scores in the first quarter alone, as Redwood raced past San Rafael, 50-7.
Jack Stewardson threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns as Monte Vista rolled past Foothill, 42-7. Nate Rutchena had 10 catches 146 yards and two scores, while adding an interception on defense. The Mustangs and San Ramon Valley will conclude the regular season against each other in the annual battle of elite district rivals.
San Leandro handed Encinal its first loss in league play, beating the Jets, 18-13. The teams are now tied for second place in the WACC-Foothill, but Encinal finishes the regular season against league leading Bishop O’Dowd.
Grant Harper threw for three touchdowns, and junior Tyler Darr had two interceptions on defense – one of which he returned for a score – as Campolindo rolled past Northgate, 49-0.
Sophomore Everett Halikas ran for two touchdowns as Arcata downed Hoopa Valley, 22-14, to take control of first place in the HDN-Little 4. His second scoring run came on a 75-yard burst, as the Tigers took a one-game lead in the league standings and can claim the outright title with a win over Ferndale next week.
Vallejo stunned Albany, 34-24, despite 312 yards passing from Albany quarterback Mario Jones.
