The Cupertino Courier
Sports
Matadors no longer undefeated, fall to 'Toga
By BRAD WALL
After trouncing their three previous opponents by a combined score of 95-35, the Monta Vista Matadors were flying high heading into their pivotal league match with the Saratoga Falcons.
In the end, though, the Falcons ended up flying high, as Saratoga used a big third quarter to stop the previously undefeated Matadors in their tracks, 28-14.
"Right now it's tough to go ahead and swallow the fact that we didn't win this one," said Monta Vista head coach Jeff Mueller. "We made some mistakes and that's what happens when you make mistakes."
The game was the tale of two halves, with defense being the story of the first half and offense taking over in the second.
Right away, both defenses asserted themselves as the Matadors shut down the Falcons on their first drive behind big plays from defensive linemen Danny Park and Chris Kong.
However, after forcing the Falcons three-and-out, Saratoga cornerback Keon Ghafouri intercepted Alex Atkins' first pass of the game. The Falcons marched the ball on a 15-play, 56-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Lenny Liccardo.
The Falcons dominated the first quarter--at one point running 21 plays to the Matadors one.
"They have really good players like Marcus Woo, and we obviously didn't want to give them the ball," said Heinrich.
The Falcons would take their 7-0 lead into the locker room, but during the second quarter it was appeared as if the Matadors might take the game over.
The Matadors forced two turnovers on downs and forced two other turnovers in the quarter, one a fumble caused by Kota Kojima that was recovered by Peter Kosulin and the second on an interception at the end of the half by Billy Guardino.
The second half opened much the same way the first
did, with both teams trading turnovers. The Matadors, though, had much more success running the ball as they found ways to get the explosive Woo the ball in situations where he could make plays.
"We just looked at what the personnel was and what we could handle," said Monta Vista head coach Jeff Mueller of his halftime adjustments.
Behind the strength of two big runs by Woo, the Matadors went on a three-play, 55-yard drive, punctuated by a 15-yard touchdown run by Woo to tie the score at seven.
Unfortunately for the Matadors, their defense wasn't able to make the score stand, as just two plays later Falcons quarterback Kevin Sieczkarek found tight-end Sean Casserly open in the seam for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
The Matadors, to their credit, were not ready to let their undefeated season slip away as Woo, Matthew Moustakas and Atkins answered back with an 11-play, 64-yard drive concluding with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Atkins to Guardino.
However, a big return by Alex Lagemann put the Falcons in good field position and Liccardo started to assert himself on the ground, ripping off a 21-yard run that set up a 9-yard touchdown scamper by Mat Spencer.
For the Matadors, dreams of an undefeated season were washed away in a sea of red. Despite that, the Mats apparently will have no problem getting their season back on track.
"We won't have any trouble getting refocused on Monday," said Mueller.
The Matadors were led by Woo, who had 12 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Moustakas who had 13 carries for 58 yards. Atkins led the passing attack, going 13 for 18 for 74 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Monta Vista will now Lynbrook on Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at Cupertino.
