November 13, 2008

SPORTS

Coaches Corner

Emotions run deep in Senior Day loss

By Mike Carrozzo
Special to the Times

Friday night proved to be an emotional night for your Leland Chargers. First, all of the seniors were playing their last game on the field at Tillman Stadium. Second, the cross-town rival Pioneer Mustangs were coming to town to avenge their loss from last year.

It is hard to explain to those who never experienced high school athletics how hard it is to walk off a home field or court for the last time after sacrificing so much time, sweat and energy over the course of four years. After the game was over the tears were flowing in full force.

The reflection of all the good times the players and coaches shared on that field was squeezing through the eyes of all the seniors. It’s a day that touches me deeply every year. I am grateful to all of the seniors for all that they have meant to the program and to me personally. They are #8 Josh LaPlante, #10 Will Boring, #18 Zach Hill, #21 Jay “Water Bug” Perez, #25 Michael Santini, #26 Yuta Kai “The Samurai,” #27 Tom “Santa Cruz” Felt, #31 Shwan Zuhdi, #40 Nick Armann, #41 Matt “Chachee” Machado, #50 Joey “Lil’ Buddy” Gramattico, #55 Alex Oberman, #58 Alex Nunes, #66 Jacob Barnhart, #71 Tony “T” Carrozzo, #72 Amir Tadros, #82 Jun Fowler, #84 Ben Delamore (and his buddy Oscar), #99 Matt McDonald. We love you all—you are the heart and soul of our team.

Now down to business. Pioneer came into Tillman Stadium ranked eighth in CCS, according to the San Jose Mercury News and had a 7-1 record. However, this backyard brawl has very little to do with records and rankings. Many of the players on both teams are good friends and have grown up together. It is usually a very hard-fought war and Friday night proved no different.

The first quarter ended scoreless even though both teams moved the ball fairly well. On Leland’s first two offensive plays in the game we totaled 66 yards on two fantastic pass plays from quarterback Will Boring to junior WR Ryan Smith. We moved the ball to the 11-yard line and unfortunately missed a 28-yard field goal attempt. It started to become obvious that running the ball was going to be tough for both teams.

Pioneer came in looking to stuff our running game and did an excellent job of it. The Chargers’ quick and physical defense did a fair job slowing down the very good running game of the Mustangs. Pioneer standout Justin Souza, who averages over 120 yards rushing per game, was held to a total of 57 rushing yards. Pioneer as a team averages over 250 yards on the ground, we allowed a total of 140. Both defenses came to stop the rushing game.

The second quarter belonged to Pioneer as they scored 17 points on a field goal and two touchdowns. That would be the only points they scored all night. Only Oak Grove held them to fewer points. At the half, it became clear that to move the ball efficiently, it would have to be through the air.

On the first drive on the second half Boring completed six of seven passing attempts for 76 yards. RB Vinnie Gemette caught two of those passes for 42 yards. We unfortunately lost the handle on the ball and gave it up inside the 5-yard line to end the drive.

The next drive was more of the same as we took over on our own 37-yard line and drove the ball well. Boring threw a screen pass to FB Jon Ruel for 23 yards, which he followed up with a 12-yard run to bring the ball to the 28-yard line. Then Boring hit Gemette for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later Boring finally got the Chargers on the board by hitting WR/B Zach Hill on the right side of the end zone for the touchdown. That would finish the scoring.

Pioneer won 17-6, but it was a battle. We were very proud of the effort of your Chargers and still expect great things in the playoffs this year. Senior OL/DL Amir Tadros put it best: “Our quarterback threw the ball well and our receivers, Ryan Smith especially, did a good job catching the ball. But we had three turnovers and didn’t capitalize on our red zone possessions. Everybody played great but we just couldn’t get it done that night,“ he added. “We all wanted to end our career at Pat Tillman Stadium with a win, but that doesn’t take away from all the great memories we’ve had on that field.”

Stats on the day: Passing game, Boring completed 18 of 29 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown, Gemette added one completion on two attempts for 60 yards. Leading receivers were Ryan Smith with a monster seven catches for 186 yards, Gemette had five for 76 yards, Santini had five for 19, Hill had two for 21 and the touchdown, and Ruel had one for 23.

Defensive leaders include leading tackler LB Anthony Russell who had 19 tackles, Michael Santini with 16, DT Amir Tadros with 12 tackles and a sack, Gemette had eight tackles, CB Yuta Kai had seven, Ruel had six and DT Alex Nunes and LB Matt Machado had 5. DT Alex Rorie had two tackles and a fumble recovery.

Next up is our last regular season game on the road at Leigh High School on Thursday night. They are also ranked in the top 15 so it should be a challenge. We then start preparing for our first playoff game in the A League. I am sure both teams this week will be pretty fired up!

Next year she’s off to UC Berkeley

Almaden Valley’s Tayler Davis finished her high school tennis career with a string of records.

During her final year at Archbishop Mitty High School, the senior finished the season winning 22 games and losing only one. She won the WCAL singles title for the fourth consecutive year, which has never been done in WCAL history.

She also received the WCAL Player of the Year for a third consecutive year. She won a tight, three-set match to clinch the WCAL singles championship after losing the first set and trailing in the second. She was two points away from losing the match. She fought a hard, determined battle to win the second set 7-6 and the tiebreak 7-5 to take it to a third set. She steam rolled her St. Francis opponent 6-1 in the third to seal the victory.

Davis will help guide the undefeated Mitty Monarchs to the CCS team championships at DeCathalon Club where they will be the top seed.

She received a full tennis scholarship to Cal Berkeley and signed her letter of intent Nov. 12. She has had a tremendous final high school season.

Little League Challenger Division to field Almaden team

The Challenger Division of Little League is a program for mentally and physically challenged youth, helping them to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities.

More than the skills of baseball learned through the experience, the value of the Little League Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play, which are hallmarks of the Little League program.

The Little League Challenger Division provides the framework so Little League programs may offer a structured, athletic activity for all youth in their communities. Playing with the same equipment on the same fields, Challenger Division participants have the opportunity to experience the joys of pulling together as a team, being cheered and earning awards for their achievements.

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable disabled boys and girls ages 5-18 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide.

Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include as many as 15-20 players, who can participate in one of three levels: tee-ball, coach-pitch or player pitch.

Each player gets a chance at bat. The side is retired when the offense has batted through the roster, when a pre-determined number of runs have been scored or when three outs are recorded. Little League recommends that no score be kept during games. The Challenger players wear the same uniforms, shoulder patches and safety equipment as other Little League players.

One of the benefits of having a Challenger Division is that it encourages the use of “buddies” for the Challenger players. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field, but whenever possible, encourage the players to bat and make plays themselves. However, the buddy is always nearby to help when needed.

The division currently is forming two teams in Almaden and Los Gatos, although players from surrounding communities also are welcome. The registration fee for the Challenger Division is $18 per team (same as for all other divisions of Little League). Accident insurance is set at the same low cost as other Little League divisions and is available through Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, Pa.

“Challenger ball has been a wonderful experience for my family. I consider it to be the ultimate team sport,” said one Challenger parent. Truly everyone can participate because there are no particular skills needed. Batting can be accomplished from a wheelchair, walker, with hand over hand assistance, off a tee or independently. Players can run, walk, be pushed or carried around the bases, anything goes. We play two innings, so the games are a reasonable length of time for even the youngest children. The best part of playing on a Challenger team is the proud smiles of the players, parents, and spectators, who truly value and applaud the accomplishments of every player, on every team. It is a true inspiration!”

For more information, check out the Web site at www.littleleague.org/Learn_More/About_Our_Organization/divisions/challenger

JV Mustangs earn victory versus Leland

The Pioneer frosh/soph Mustangs won their fifth straight conference football game by beating rival Leland 21-14 on Friday night. The Chargers, despite being outgained by a 3-1 margin, battled the Mustangs tough throughout the contest. The Mustangs displayed a staunch run defense lead by tackle Kody Kampfren and linebacker Adil Charki, the Pioneer offense, which rushed for over 250 yards, was lead by Brandon Henry (two touchdowns) and Gabe Hernandez (one touchdown). The 7-2 Mustangs with a victory in their season finale at Live Oak on Thursday can clinch sole possession of second place in the Mount Hamilton Division.

High School Sports Schedule, Nov. 13 - Nov. 20

Leland
Thursday—Football vs. Leigh at Leigh; JV at 4:30; Varsity at 7 p.m.
Thursday—CCS Field hockey begins

Saturday—CCS Cross country finals

Pioneer
Thursday—Football vs. vs. Live Oak at Live Oak; JV at 4:30 p.m. and Varsity at 7 p.m.

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

Pioneer athletics: www.phsathletics.com
Leland Athletics: www.lelandathletics.com
Blossom Valley Athletics League: www.bval.org

Sports Briefs

2009 Almaden Valley Girls Recreational Softball Registration is open

This year the AVGSL has implemented an online registration system. Please visit WWW.AVGSL.ORG to register or to find out more information regarding our league.  We are accepting registration for ages Under 6, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14. Everyone is welcome to join our league – from first-time player to all-star - because we have a spot for you.  AVGSL’s main goal is to ensure that all players are in a fun, positive environment while learning and expanding their softball skills. AVGSL promotes a sense of belonging for everyone. We emphasize teamwork and the sense of individual success that contributes to team sports. No player will sit out more than two innings during a game, which offers each girl the opportunity to make contributions to their team while participating in a large part of all activities.  If you have questions, please email president@avgsl.org and we will be happy to help.


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