JACOB RUDGER
Prep2Prep Junior Editor

October 27, 2012

Roses, parents, and slow music evoking songs of departure. These were the sights and sounds of Friday night’s pre-game ceremonies, before the winless Hillsdale Knights strolled onto Bruce Usher Memorial Field and crashed Carlmont’s senior night with a 30-14 victory.

The victory was Hillsdale's first of the season -- cause for celebration.

“We just played well today," Knights coach Mike Parodi said. "Our biggest weakness this year has been turnovers and tonight we only had one towards the end. We’re gonna take a win no matter what.

After a 40-yard Jesse Gifford touchdown run on the fourth play from scrimmage and a goal-line stop by the Carlmont defense, the Scots had all of the momentum.

But Carlmont fumbled on its next possession and the Scots recovered in the end zone for a safety, cutting Carlmont's lead to 6-2. It was a momentum changer in this one.

The Knights, led by quarterback Cole Carrithers who threw for 417 yards against Capuchino last week, had the mojo after the safety and capitalized.

Following the ensuing free kick, Carrithers completed a 30-yard pass to J.D. Giannini to move the ball into scoring position. A few plays later, Carrithers hit wide-open receiver John Paran in the left corner of the end zone, giving the Knights a 9-6 lead.

In the second quarter Carrithers capped off a 6:34 drive with a 37-yard touchdown to Brandon Butcher. He then busted the game open with another touchdown pass to Paran, increasing the Knights' lead to 23-6.

“Everybody did their job, I did my job. Literally nothing could’ve gone better,” said Carrithers.

Hillsdale’s didn't just feature the pass. Running back A.J. Bernal ran for more than 200 yards and a touchdown.

“All credit goes to my offensive line,” Bernal said. “I could not be as good as I was tonight without them.”

Hillsdale kept rolling until Carlmont quarterback Derek Gomez fired a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tevita Takitaki. The two-point conversion was good and the score was 23-14.

After two unsuccessful fourth quarter drives by the Scots, the Knights put the game away. Carrithers completed a 40-yard pass to Giancarlo Boscacci, moving Hillsdale into Carlmont territory. The next play featured a flashy 26-yard touchdown run by Bernal.

Carlmont was out-worked and outplayed by Hillsdale on Friday, but the Scots have had to deal with several challenges this season, including multiple injuries to star players, and a small roster.

“This team is the best in the league in terms of overcoming adversity,” said running back Gifford, “Despite the outcome of each game we keep fighting, we learn from our mistakes and that’s what drives us through the season.”

Carlmont (1-7, 0-4 in PAL-Lake) has dropped seven straight games, and does not face an easy task Friday against host Capuchino and its star running back Justin Ewing. Kickoff is at 2:45 p.m.

The Knights (1-7, 1-4) will shoot for victory No. 2 at 7 p.m. Friday against visiting Mills.