October 12, 2006

SPORTS

Pioneer football earns first league win over Independence

Steady progress throughout the game sees Mustangs take 24-13 win over 76ers

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer football team earned its first win in league play in the Mt. Hamilton Division with a 24-13 final at Independence on Oct. 6.

Running back Shane Murray ran for 86 yards and a touchdown in Pioneer’s 24-13 win over Independence on Oct. 6. Murray teamed up with Steven Lopes to shoulder most of the running load in the win, as the duo contributed 155 yards rushing combined. Photos by Ric Medlinger at www.medlinger.net

The Mustangs (1-1 league, 2-3 overall) received ample offensive support from running backs Shane Murray and Steven Lopes, as both players combined for 155 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, while quarterback Chris Foley threw for 105 yards and a touchdown in the win, which snapped a modest two-game losing streak. In addition, defensive back Nico Pagan contributed with two key interceptions in the win, including one interception late in the second quarter that led to a touchdown drive, giving the Mustangs the lead going into halftime, while his second pick late in the fourth quarter sealed the win.

“We’ve had our share of tough losses to start the year, so any win at this point is a good one,” Pioneer head coach Mark Krail said. “Independence played tough. They put a bunch of guys on the line of scrimmage and really tested us up front. I think most defenses are going to do that, so I was proud of the way the guys ran. There were tough yards in there.”

Krail said his team displayed continued improvement throughout the game, noting the play of the offensive line in giving ample protection for Foley in the passing game, as well as its ability to open running lanes for the running game. Murray finished the night with 86 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Lopes ran for 69 yards and a touchdown in helping to shoulder to load for the Mustang running attack.

“They were our workhorses tonight,” Krail said of Lopes and Murray. “They were carrying the ball. I have to mention Nico Pagan in there blocking. Our backs have to block for one another, and he had a great game tonight. …Like I said, every yard was tough on the ground tonight.”

The win also came at a crucial time for Pioneer, which will play its homecoming game against Lincoln on Oct. 14 at home.

“After coming off a disappointing loss against Leigh, we really needed this game under our belts coming into homecoming,” added Pioneer wide receiver Matt Montelongo, who caught two passes for 68 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown pass from Foley with five minutes left in the fourth quarter to give the Mustangs a 24-13 lead. “Lincoln’s a great team, and we just have to take it to them on Saturday.”

Trailing 7-3 late in the second quarter, things started to turn around for the Mustangs, as Pagan picked off a pass at the Pioneer 23, setting the Mustang offensive up at their own 48, following a 10-yard runback by Pagan and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Independence on the play.

The Mustangs wasted little time getting their offense in gear, going 52 yards on five plays, highlighted by a 16-yard touchdown run from Murray with 1:15 left in the first half for a 10-7 lead.

Pagan’s second interception proved to be important as well. With Pioneer ahead 24-13, the 76ers drove the ball from their own 40 to the Pioneer 36 in just over two minutes before Pagan snared another pass at the Pioneer 25 with 2:30 left, allowing the Mustangs to run the clock out.

Pioneer’s Nico Pagan (2) grabbed two key interceptions in a 24-13 win over the 76ers on Oct. 6. Pagan also rushed for 18 yards and caught four passes for 31 yards in the win.

“Those were big critical moments in the game,” Krail said of Pagan’s two interceptions. “The game was still in question with the first (interception) for sure, and we turned that into points going our way. That was big. The last (interception) was the icing on the cake. That allowed us to take a knee and run the clock out.”

In the third quarter, the Mustangs extended the lead on their first offensive series of the second half, going 65 yards on 12 plays, ending with a 1-yard touchdown run from Lopes with 7:05 left for a 17-7 advantage.

After a scoring drive from the 76ers cut the lead to four in the fourth quarter, the Mustang offense went to work one more time, answering Independence’s touchdown with a quick five-play, 60-yard drive, highlighted by Montelongo’s 49-yard touchdown catch with five minutes left for a 24-13 edge.

While the Mustangs may have been a bit slow out of the gates to start the game, Krail said he was happy with his team’s steady progress.

“We came out maybe a little bit flat and things weren’t going our way and yet, we were able to persevere and continue on and play the four-quarter game to come out with a positive feeling,” Krail said. “I think that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Sports Briefs

Almaden National Junior Basketball signups
Almaden National Junior Basketball (NJB) signups started Aug. 15. Boys and girls grades one through eight are eligible. The 11-game season starts Dec. 3. For details and signups, e-mail go to www.almadennjb.homestead.com or call Ken Keiser (408) 592-4190 with questions.

San Jose Vipers Lacrosse holding fall clinics beginning Oct. 21
The Vipers are growing up and down! Spring 2007 will include, Varsity, JV, Juniors, Pups and Pee-Wees. Come on out and play America's oldest team sport and the fastest growing game in California. No experience necessary. The San Jose Vipers Lacrosse club will be holding fall clinics for kids in the 3rd grade through 12th grade, beginning Oct 21 at Harker Middle School, 3800 Blackford Ave., 95117.   

Please visit www.viperslacrosse.net for more information or call Craig Bowers at (408) 674-8708.

Bret Harte Middle School needs eighth grade boys’ basketball coach
Bret Harte is looking for a coach to lead the after-school eighth grade boys’ basketball team.  Responsibilities to include overseeing tryouts, running practices at least twice a week after school, and attending games, which will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Season begins in March of 2007.

The coach will also need to be fingerprinted and have TB test completed through San Jose Unified School District. The Bret Harte Booster Club will reimburse the coach for the expense. The coach is to be under the direction of the school administration and Bret Harte Booster Club.

If interested, call Amy Yorkey at (408) 535-6270 ext. 214.

Almaden United boys’ U-15 soccer team seeks players
The Almaden United boys’ U-15 soccer team is looking for a few new players with serious interest in soccer, for all positions, even goalkeeper. The team is a part of the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, Delgado (class 3) competitive league for the fall of 2006. Interested players must be born between Aug. 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. For more information, contact Kimberly at kiminn@mindspring.com or (408) 206-1198.

Lacrosse registration now open
Lacrosse in San Jose! Registration will be open soon for the spring 2007 season for South Valley Lacrosse.
If you want to give lacrosse a try, reserve your spot today.

Introductory lessons
Oct. 21 and 28, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $20

Private (or group) lessons
$20 per hour, or group rate also available.

RSVP to Joy Bender at joy.bender@prodigy.net.
 
Lacrosse coaches needed
South Valley Lacrosse needs at least two coaches for its boys' pups (fifth/sixth grade) and JV (ninth/10th grade) teams. The club is in its third season and has lots of parent support.

If interested, call Joy Bender at (408) 679-1297 or e-mail joy.bender@prodigy.net.  

REACH Youth Scholarship nomination forms available online from San Jose Sports Authority
Nomination forms for the San Jose Sports Authority’s 2006 REACH Youth Scholarship Program, sponsored by Bridge Bank, which has provided college funds to 50 high school students over the past 10 years, are now available for downloading from the Sports Authority’s Web site at www.sjsa.org.

Last year, 31 Santa Clara County high school seniors were nominated, and six who overcame adversity through participation in sports were awarded scholarships through the REACH program, an acronym for Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work. Scholarships are awarded based on an essay competition in which nominees explain how sports helped them overcome adversity.

The nominees and scholarship winners for 2006 will be honored at the REACH Awards Breakfast, chaired by former San Francisco 49er Ronnie Lott, on Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Only Santa Clara County high schools may nominate students for the award, with a maximum of five nominees per school. Nominees must then complete an essay and student information form.

Nominees must:

- Be high school seniors,
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA,
- Participate in at least one sanctioned high school athletic activity,
- Demonstrate community involvement,
- Show the ability to overcome adversity or obstacles to reach his or her goals.

Each nominee is required to write an essay of one to three pages based on his or her experiences. The essay should focus on the obstacles they have overcome and how sports have helped them achieve their goals. Essays will be judged on content.

Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, March 31.

Visit the San Jose Sports Authority Web site at www.sjsa.org for more information.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Football vs. Gunderson, 3:30 p.m. varsity
Friday – Girls’ tennis second round BVAL singles and doubles division play, time TBA

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis vs. Independence, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ volleyball at Live Oak, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Field hockey at Mitty, 4:30 p.m. JV and 3:30 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Girls’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Live Oak, 4 p.m. JV and 5 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Boys’ water polo at Lincoln, 3 p.m. varsity

Thursday – Girls’ tennis vs. Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ volleyball at Piedmont Hills, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Field hockey vs. Saratoga, 4:30 p.m. JV and 3 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Cross country vs. Leigh, Santa Teresa, Willow Glen and Silver Creek at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Football at Del Mar, 3:30 p.m. frosh/soph

Pioneer High School
Friday – Girls’ tennis second round BVAL singles and doubles division play, time TBA

Saturday – Football vs. Lincoln, noon frosh/soph and 2:30 p.m. varsity

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ water polo vs. Mt. Pleasant at Independence, 4 p.m. frosh/soph and 5 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Girls’ water polo at Willow Glen, 5 p.m. varsity

Wednesday – Girls’ volleyball at Del Mar, 3:30 p.m. JV and 5 p.m. varsity
Wednesday – Cross country vs. Sobrato, Gunderson, San Jose and James Lick at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ tennis at Willow Glen, 3:15 p.m.


For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: http://www.phsathletics.com/
Leland Athletics: http://www.lelandathletics.com/
Blossom Valley Athletic League: http://www.bval.org/

High School Scoreboard

Oct. 3
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-12, 25-12, 25-14 win vs. Branham
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win at Leigh
Leland boys’ water polo 11-10 win vs. Live Oak
Leland girls’ water polo 15-3 win vs. Live Oak

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 25-16, 25-23, 25-20 win vs. James Lick
Pioneer girls’ water polo 8-6 win vs. Santa Teresa

Oct. 4
Leland girls’ tennis 4-3 win vs. Los Gatos
Leland field hockey 1-0 loss vs. St. Francis

Oct. 5
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-18, 25-18, 16-25, 25-13 loss vs. Mt. Pleasant

Pioneer boys’ water polo 12-10 loss vs. Lincoln

Pioneer girls’ volleyball reaches .500 mark in league play

Mustangs take 3-0 win over San Jose Bulldogs, still seek a shot at West Valley Division crown

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer girls’ volleyball team improved to 3-3 in West Valley Division play following a 3-0 win over visiting San Jose High Academy on Oct. 5.

Pioneer girls’ volleyball reaches .500 mark in league play

The win gave the Mustangs a modest three-game winning streak after starting the season with an 0-7 record, including four preseason losses. Still, Mustangs head coach Michelle Ritter said her team will have to try and win every remaining league game on the schedule in order to fulfill a season-long goal of competing for a league title. Sobrato is currently firmly entrenched in first place with a 6-0 record in the West Valley Division.

“The girls were a little bit down after the first three (league losses) because we set our sights on winning league this year,” Ritter said. “It’s still possible. Sobrato’s going to drop a couple of games, and we have to win the rest of our games.”

Ritter said a season-long issue with the Mustangs has been the team’s confidence level, which wavered early in the season, especially during the seven-game losing streak to start the year. Ritter added that winning three straight has helped rebuild the Mustangs’ confidence during league play.

“It’s really hard,” Ritter said of combating her team’s wavering confidence level. “I have two really good captains (Heidi Isaacson and Danielle Clough) who help keep the momentum up and try to help everybody out a lot. This year’s team seems to work really well together. They want to win and they’re willing to sacrifice playing time. …They know that they need to do what’s best for the team.”

The win over San Jose saw the Mustangs get progressively better, taking game one by a close 25-22 score before taking game two 25-14. Game three saw the Mustangs tighten the clamps even more on the Bulldogs with an 11-0 scoring run early in the game to take an 18-4 lead before winning the game 25-6. Game three also featured a 12-point serving run from Pioneer’s Mae Limskun, who recorded a pair of aces during that stretch.

“This (win) is good for their confidence because it teaches them that they can win a match decisively,” Ritter said of her squad. “We kind of tend to play to whatever level our competition is, and instead of making them play up to us, we kind of play down to them a little bit. I think it’s a good confidence builder for them, to know that they can keep on swinging hard.”

Leading the way for the Mustangs on offense was Carolyn Kanzaki, who recorded a game-high 10 kills, while Heidi Isaacson contributed seven kills in the win.

“I was really happy with them,” Ritter said of Kanzaki and Isaacson. “I had so many girls swinging at the ball, and that’s one of the things that we’ve been really tentative at. We have great hitters this year. I really think that we have some of the best hitters we’ve had in a long time this year, but they’re afraid to hit it out, or they’re afraid to hit too hard or into the net, so they don’t always swing as hard as they should. Tonight they just said, ‘let’s go for it,’ and they did.”

Ritter said despite the win against San Jose, which dropped to 0-6 in league play, the team initially had a tough time getting motivated to play its best game against the winless Bulldogs.

“I think that’s why the first game was so close at 25-22. We just kind of came out thinking ‘if we just play a little we’ll do fine,’” Ritter said. “We didn’t put in our A game … but after they saw how close it got, I think they realized that they needed to pick it up a little. They then picked it up a little more for game two and a little bit more for game three, which I think is good.”

Leland girls’ tennis continues unbeaten streak in league play

Return of senior Roxy Pourmirzaie bodes well for Chargers in league play

By Coach Pam Headley
Special to the Times

After dispatching the Live Oak Acorns 7-0 on Oct. 5, the Lady Chargers locked in a first- or second-place finish in the BVAL’s Mt. Hamilton Division, assuring them of a berth in postseason CCS Team play.

Energized by the return of four-year varsity starter Roxy Pourmirzaie, who missed the first three weeks of the season because of mono, Leland’s young squad has defended its undefeated league record, continuing last year’s tradition in the BVAL.

Leland's Lydia Chow took over the No. 1 singles spot this year and has been solid in league play, dropping only one match in 10 league contests so far this season. Photo by Diego Abeloos

During Pourmirzaie’s absence, a group of sophomores—Lydia Chow, Allison Hsia, Aileen Tsay and Youngeun Na—have led the Chargers to their 24th straight league win. Chow, taking over the No. 1 singles spot this year, has been solid in her league play, dropping only one match in 10 league contests, a three-set battle with Leigh’s strong No. 1, Anna Guzman. In their second meeting of the season, however, Chow evened the score, beating Guzman in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Hsia, who as a freshman last year didn’t lose a set in league play, has continued her winning ways, dominating her opponents with her big-hitting yet tactical style of play. Tsay, another of the talented sophomores on the roster, has been equally dominant, losing only one match this year, while spending time at both the No. 3 and No. 4 spots on the ladder. Na, normally a staple at the No. 1 doubles spot, and freshman Stephanie Hwang, a doubles specialist who does double duty as a singles player, shared time at the No. 4 spot, collectively posting a 3-1 record in singles play.

Upon her return, Pourmirzaie has been perfect in the No. 2 spot, producing a 5-0 record in league play, without dropping a set. As the defending league singles champion, the diminutive senior also secured the No. 3 seed in the division tournament, the first step toward CCS Individual singles play. Along with Chow, who, as league singles leader, captured the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Pourmirzaie hopes to advance to the next step, the BVAL Tournament, with a win on Oct. 13 at the second round of the BVAL division tourney. Pourmirzaie faces Anna Guzman in the first semifinal match, while Chow is up against Nicole Blatt from Independence in the other semi. Both matches are at Leland.

In doubles action, Na and her partner, freshman Nikita Gettu, is the team to beat in league play. With a record of 7-0 as partners, the young team relies on the combination of Na’s athleticism and Gettu’s fearlessness to overtake their opponents. Gettu has also successfully paired with junior Vivian Ngo, an experienced doubles specialist, in the No. 1 spot during the early weeks of the season. Ngo and her usual partner, acrobatic junior Kristen Hoppe, have spent time in both the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles spots, compiling an 8-0 league record, while the senior tandem of Connie Chen and Rosie Biell, use their mixture of patience and experience to outlast their league challengers. The pair has yet to lose a league match this season, posting a perfect 10-0 record.

For division tournament doubles play, the Chargers sent last year’s defending champs, Hsia and Tsay, and newcomers to tournament play, Na and Gettu. After receiving a first-round bye based on their undefeated league status, Na and Gettu faced the No. 2 team from Oak Grove, and dispatched them in straight sets. Hsia and Tsay, as defending champs, also received the first-round bye, but were then upset by the No. 1 Oak Grove team, 4-6, 6-7. Na and Gettu continue to the semifinal round of play on Oct. 13 at Leland.

Chargers football trounces Westmont for 2-0 start in league play

Leland rushes to 35-19 victory

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Two late Leland touchdowns sealed the Chargers’ second victory in league, and at least one opposing coach said the team has a chance to take the Santa Teresa Division this year.

Leland defenders Jon Erickson (40) and Mitchell Truan (55) break through Westmont’s offensive line during a 35-19 win over Westmont on Oct. 6. Photo by Ben DeKoven

Leland outlasted reigning league co-champ Westmont 35-19 on the road Oct. 6 after wearing down the Warriors with a smash-mouth running attack that featured Charger running backs Adam Ondi, Lance Gemette and Kevin Krail.

The Chargers did not gain a yard in the air, but covered 346 yards in 49 carries on the ground. Gemette, Ondi and Krail combined for 328 of those yards and all five of the team’s touchdowns.

“Westmont played as tough as they always do at their place,” said Leland coach Jason Tenner. “We gradually wore them down. We have an (offensive line) that gets off the ball and hard-nosed running backs that break tackles and make some nice runs.”

It looked as if Leland would cruise to the win when Krail broke loose on an 80-yard sprint to the end zone on the very first play from scrimmage. However, Westmont fought back in typical fashion and the game was close through most of the fourth quarter.

Gemette and Ondi ended those concerns however, getting loose with four minutes remaining in the game and teaming up to score back-to-back touchdowns to ensure the win. Gemette scored on a 30-yard run, while Ondi charged in to the end zone from 60 yards out.

“That was a product of our running the ball hard,” said Tenner. “When we got to the fourth quarter, they just couldn’t bring us down with arm tackles anymore. But anytime your running backs and linebackers play well, you don’t need to look any further for compliments than your offensive and defensive lines.”

Paving the way for Leland’s running attack were offensive linemen Roland Li, David Yates, Daniel Schroeder, Corey Aldridge and Amir Tadros.

“Everybody is doing a good job with the task they have been assigned,” said Tenner. “We even have some guys who come off the bench and have skills as well. There’s not a whole lot of drop-off anywhere on this team.”

Tenner called Ondi, who finished with 120 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns, as well as 13 tackles on defense, the player of the game.

“He is a heck of little running back,” said Tenner. “Everybody loves to give him a hard time because he is not the tallest guy on the team, but he is definitely one of the strongest.”

Tenner said Ondi and Gemette feed off of each other throughout the game.

“They are enjoying their senior year,” he said.

In addition, Tenner said Krail adds an entirely different dimension, while he takes notes from proven seniors. Tenner added that Krail’s 80-yard touchdown run to open the contest set the tone.

Gemette meanwhile, finished with 115 yards on 18 carries, two touchdowns and nine tackles on defense, while Krail gained 93 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Krail, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 155-pound sophomore, also made five tackles on defense.

Following the last week’s win at home over Santa Teresa, Saints Coach Nick Alfano called the Chargers the team to beat in the Santa Teresa division, after Leland defeated his club 16-6, according to Tenner.

However, when presented with the comment, Tenner kept it cool.

“I am preaching the same thing to these kids as I have since we put the pads on,” he said. “Just come in prepared. Everybody is going to be gunning for us now that we are in first place. This week when we play Gunderson, they are going to be a different team than we scouted and watched on film. They are going to be ready for us.”

As for comparisons, Tenner said the 2006 Leland football team is a different club than the last Leland league championship team in 2004.

“The offensive line that year was unreal,” he said of a group that featured future UCLA standout Scott Glicksberg and Foothill College starter Gabe Castaneda.

“This year we have a good offensive line, but they are not as big and physically gifted,” added Tenner. “But we are pretty solid across the board.”

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Do you have a sports story to share? Contact the sports department at 494-7000 x 217 or by e-mail at diego@timesmediainc.com or fax to Almaden Times Sports at 494-7078.