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Bulldogs make history, stun Live Oak 27-6 in El Toro Bowl III
Sep 25, 2009
By Scott J. Adams - Sports Editor
Sobrato celebrates their win against Live Oak at Live Oak during El Toro Bowl III Friday.
Sobrato's Chris Bradley makes a 27-yard connection as Live Oak's Richie Martinez goes for the tackle during the four quarter of the El Toro Bowl III at Live Oak Friday. Bradley scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Photo by: Lora Schraft
Live Oak's Taylor Alonzo runs the ball as Sobrato's Ralph Jackson Jr. (25) and Ryan Brewer work together to push him out of bounds during the first quarter of the El Toro Bowl III at Live Oak Friday.
Photo by: Lora Schraft
A group of Live Oak Acorns work to take down Sobrato's Ralph Jackson Jr. during the third quarter of the El Toro Bowl III at Live Oak Friday.
Photo by: Lora Schraft
Live Oak's Jacob Montoya tries to dodge a tackle by Sobrato's Daniel Puna during the second quarter of the El Toro Bowl III at Live Oak Friday.
Photo by: Lora Schraft
MORGAN HILL -- The annual El Toro Bowl produced another blowout, but a new football team is standing atop Morgan Hill.
Patrick Bacciarelli amassed 196 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, Chris Bradley had three catches for 102 yards and two scores, and the Sobrato Bulldogs played inspired defense to beat cross-town rival Live Oak 27-6 Friday.
It marked the Bulldogs' first victory over the Acorns, who dominated the previous two El Toro bowls.
"I'm speechless right now," said Bacciarelli, who, along with his teammates and coaches, was mobbed by the large Sobrato crowd at Richert Field afterward. "It feels like we're on top of the world."
And with that, Sobrato (2-1) matched its win total from a year ago -- and in upsetting fashion. In knocking off their rivals from the Blossom Valley Athletic League 'A' division, the 'C'-league Bulldogs shocked most of the 4,000-plus fans in attendance, but not themselves.
"We're not surprised; we believed in ourselves," Sobrato center/nose guard Joel Rueda said. "We're a good team. We knew we could win this game."
The Bulldogs' senior quarterback was nearly perfect in his biggest game yet. Bacciarelli completed 5-of-6 passing for 145 yards, including three long connections to Bradley, who is emerging as a star wideout in his first year of prep football.
Bradley, a senior, caught a deep fade for a 46-yard score that pushed Sobrato ahead 7-6 in the second quarter, then hooked up with Bacciarelli for another -- unusual -- score. Bacciarelli was about to cross the goal line on a keeper but fumbled the ball into the end zone. Bradley fell on it to complete a 13-yard touchdown run.
"Patrick and Chris had an amazing night," Sobrato second-year coach Nick Borello said. "Patrick played his heart out tonight. He was a leader. Chris is one of the most talented kids I have ever seen. I'm glad we have him."
Bacciarelli also found tight end Vincent Alfonseca on a 25-yard play-action pass for a touchdown as the Bulldogs built a 21-6 halftime lead.
Mandeep Bains, a two-way starting lineman for the Bulldogs, recovered a fumbled exchange on the Acorns' next offensive play, setting up Bradley's recovery in the end zone.
"It's the same story it's been all season: Mistakes killed us," said Live Oak coach Jon Michael Porras, whose Acorns fell to 0-3 heading into next week's league opener. "We had too many penalties and we couldn't hold on to the ball. They made us hurt."
Playing as the away team, the Acorns struck first on a 25-yard sweep by Taylor Alonzo less than two minutes into the second quarter. Save for the touchdown, the 12-play drive was typical for Live Oak's offense Friday. The Acorns ran with the ball efficiently, but were undercut by turnovers. Relying on an ineffective passing attack in the second half, they were outgained 216-93 in yards of total offense.
Live Oak running backs Julio Aguayo and Blair Zerr carried nine times apiece for 52 and 42 yards, respectively, and Alonzo rushed for 38 yards on seven attempts and had two catches for 23 yards before leaving the game with an injury with 10:49 remaining. Teammate Jeff Stine had a fumble recovery midway through the fourth quarter.
"Being 0-3 is embarrassing right now," said Live Oak junior quarterback David Pelz, who completed 7 of 13 for 39 yards in his first start. "We have to come together and try to bounce back this week at practice. It's going to be tough after this loss. It's huge."
After Sobrato kicked off to start the second half, Live Oak fumbled the ball away after two plays. Sobrato defensive back Daniel Puna came up with the loose ball.
"We were going crazy after those turnovers," Bains said. "Our confidence was way up. We knew we could stop their offense, but it was going to take all of us."
Following Puna's big play, Sobrato took over at Live Oak's 30-yard line. Bacciarelli threaded a 29-yard pass to Bradley through Acorn defensive backs Rich Martinez and Nick Sosebee, then scored the final touchdown on a 5-yard keeper with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
More on this in Tuesday's print edition
 Rey Sketty · Mon Sep 28, 2009 @ 04:18am · 0 Comments |
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