SARATOGA, Calif. - Saratoga hosted Los Gatos this year for their annual heated rivalry match-up. The game was an offensive shootout, with Los Gatos keeping its undefeated record with a 52-38 victory.
Los Gatos (4-0) quarterback Yost Girvan and wide receiver Gian Lagemann were the hot duo of the night, with Girvan going 11-of-13 for 128 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Lagemann had a career high nine catches for 113 yards and he caught three of Girvan’s touchdown passes.
However, Saratoga (3-1) quarterback Payton Stokes and receiver George Bian had a connection of their own, which gave the Wildcats' defense their first scare of the season. Stokes went 27-of-41 for 360 yards and four total touchdowns, and Bian was on the receiving end of three of those touchdowns, recording a total of 149 yards on nine catches.
All three of Bian’s touchdowns came in the first half. On the first drive of the game, the Falcons marched straight down to the Los Gatos five-yard line, where Stokes hit Bian for a quick five-yard touchdown reception.
Starting in the red zone for the first play of the second, Stokes found Bian again for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Later in the second quarter, Stokes, rolling right, launched a ball deep just before crossing the line of scrimmage to connect with Bian once again for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Lagemann’s first touchdown came early in the second after a 48-yard kick return from Kyle Pinkham. Starting with great field position, Girvan was able to find Lagemann in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
After a good field goal from Saratoga kicker Fabian Alvarado, Los Gatos got the ball with 1:17 left in the half, down 24-22. The Wildcats quickly worked their way down the field, and a face mask penalty against Saratoga gave Los Gatos one more play from the Falcon 22. With zero seconds on the clock, Girvan hit Lagemann over the middle for a 22-yard touchdown. Girvan then threw the ball to Dillon Whitfield for a successful two-point conversion, putting the Wildcats ahead 30-24 heading into halftime.
“I was really happy when that happened,” said Lagemann. “It definitely gave us momentum going into the second half.”
While it may have given the offense some momentum, Saratoga started off the second half with a successful onside kick. It only took a few plays for the Falcons to get into the red zone, and Stokes scored on a 11-yard keeper. A good PAT from Alvarado put Saratoga ahead 31-30.
However, Los Gatos showcased that momentum with another touchdown later in the quarter. Girvan connected with Lagemann one last time for a 12-yard touchdown pass. From there, the Wildcats never lost their lead.
Adam Garwood scored his second touchdown of the night on a 12-yard reception, and Mason Holbrook scored on a three-yard punch in rush. Kicker Ty Goldsbury never missed a PAT, but the Wildcats utilized Garwood for a pair of two-point conversions, along with Whitfield’s to end the first half.
“We had our hands full all night on defense,” said Los Gatos head coach Mark Krail. “Our staff made a couple little adjustments with match-ups at halftime, and we were able to slow them down.”
On offense, Los Gatos ran the ball to set up most of the passing touchdowns from Girvan, as he only had 12 passes all game. Meanwhile, Garwood ran for 191 yards and two scores on 19 carries. Pinkham had 121 yards on just four carries.
“We couldn’t really take away their run game,” reflected Saratoga head coach Tim Lugo.
Los Gatos will host Milpitas (1-3) next Friday for their homecoming game. Saratoga will take on Homestead (2-2) next Friday for a home league matchup.
