The Cupertino Courier
Sports
Mats open league with big win over 'Tino
By BRAD WALL
The Monta Vista Matadors continued their winning ways as they put on an exhibition of defensive dominance, outrunning and outhitting the Cupertino Pioneers (1-2-1, 0-1) in a 31-14 victory in the opener for both teams in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
Although both teams were sloppy at times--combining for five turnovers and over 50 yards of false start and encroachment penalties--the story of the game was defense.
"Our defense has been playing well all year long," said Matadors head coach Jeff Mueller, whose club is now 4-0 for the year. "Our coaches put together a great game plan and we try to utilize what we do best."
Up 7-0 in the second quarter, Matadors linebacker Trevor Sambyal made a game changing play.
Behind the "thunder and lightning" combination of running backs Scott Savory (thunder) and Jimmy Trask (lightning), the Pioneers rumbled 67 yards down the field.
The drive was highlighted by two fourth down conversions: a shifty 20-yard run by Trask on fourth and one and a spectacular leaping catch for 25 yards by Chase Hill on fourth and five.
Hill's catch gave the Pioneers a first and goal at the Matadors 1-yard line, and it appeared as if the Pioneers would score the tying touchdown.
Sambyal had other ideas, though.
Trask ran the ball to the right side, only to have Sambyal whip him to the ground while stripping the ball. The Matadors recovered and would eventually score another touchdown for a 14-0 lead they would never relinquish.
The Matadors defense was impressive all night, forcing the Pioneers into four three-and-outs, including the Pioneers first two drives of the game.
The Matadors managed to keep Trask and Savory in check throughout most of the night. Trask had nine carries for 42 yards while Savory had nine carries for 37 yards.
The Pioneers highlight came at the end of the second quarter.
Down 14-0 with 1:19 left in the half, the Matadors were threatening again.
Strong-armed quarterback Alex Atkins completed a 20-yard pass to running back Marcus Woo and the Matadors looked to be in position to score again.
However, Atkins' next pass sailed over his intended target and into the waiting hands of cornerback Andrew Nguyen.
Nguyen raced down the sideline, outrunning everyone en route to a 75-yard interception return and a touchdown.
"He needed that, he really did. He jumped offside on that field goal and gave up a touchdown (on the Matadors first scoring drive)," said Pioneers head coach Kyle Fitzpatrick, whose club is now 1-2-1.
With the crowd electrified, the Pioneers had momentum heading into the locker room, but in the end the Matadors were just too big and fast.
Woo, Kota Kojima, Dominic Camilliari and Matthew Moustakas proved to be too quick for the Pioneers defenders as they were able to turn every crease in the line into a big gain.
The Matadors had 32 carries for 282 yards. Woo lead the charge with 13 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns and Kojima chipped in with eight carries for 75 yards.
Woo also added six receptions for 112 yards.
Atkins completed 10 of 21 passes for 180 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Cupertino quarterback Yuekai Yu was 4 of 10 for 70 yards and one interception. Yu also ran for an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Despite being shorthanded, the Pioneers never gave up on the field and Fitzpatrick was extremely proud of their effort.
"We had a lot of turmoil this week; we found ourselves down to 18 players and they stepped up. It really shows their character," said Fitzpatrick.
The Pioneers travel to Lynbrook (3-1, 0-1) on Oct. 6 at 3:15 p.m. while the Matadors look to extend their undefeated streak when they host Gunn (1-3, 1-0) Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Cupertino.
