Saratoga News

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Westmont's Greg Woodland (71) and Tim Wilson (52) congratulate tight end Brodie Gorman after his touchdown against Lynbrook. The Warriors led early in the game, but ended up dropping a 21-19 decision.

Rajagopal stars for Vikings

By Dick Sparrer

Vik Rajagopal was an all-leaguer for the Lynbrook football team last fall. And if things continue to go this fall as they did last Saturday for the star receiver, he should be back on that list at the season's end.

Rajagopal pulled down a pair of touchdown passes, including the game winner in the final minutes of last weekend's 21-19 victory over Westmont.

Lynbrook trailed 19-14 in the fourth against Westmont. But sophomore punter Gordon Hawley pinned the Warriors at their own two with a 45-yard punt, and the Lynbrook defense took over.

The defense stopped Westmont cold, forcing the Warriors to punt the ball away from deep in their own territory. Junior Barret Bryson hauled in the boot and had "a good punt return" to give the Vikings good field position, Lynbrook head coach Bob Blaschke said.

A few plays later, Matt Fratus found Rajagopal in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown that put the Vikings on top for the first time in the game. Hawley kicked the third of his three extra points, and Lynbrook led 21-19.

The defense, led by linebackers Brian White, Kenny Ewbank and sophomore Josh Huizar, held Westmont late in the game and the Vikings held on for the victory.

"Our defense played really well," Blaschke said.

Westmont actually scored first in the game when senior quarterback Justin Murray hit senior tight end Brodie Gorman for 27 yards and a TD.

Lynbrook tied it 7-7 in the second period on a 12-yard scoring toss from Ryan Quadro to Rajagopal.

Quadro joined Fratus and Jim Stamper in a three-quarterback rotation for the Vikings.

"They're sharing time and making it work," Blaschke said.

Westmont jumped back in front in the third period when Murray tossed to senior wide receiver Adam Brando for six points, but Lynbrook answered right back with a 13-yard touchdown run by Minh Sung.

The Vikings took a slim 14-13 lead into the fourth period, but Murray shot over from the one for a touchdown to put the Warriors on top 19-14.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, though, Murray left the game in the final period with a wrist injury. "That was a tough break for them," Blaschke said. "He's a player."

With Murray out of action, the Warriors were unable to move offensively, and the Vikings moved in for the game winning touchdown. "They were awfully tough," Blaschke said. "But I was real proud of the Lynbrook kids. They fought 'em all afternoon."

"I thought we played very hard," the coach said of his Vikings. "Both teams played very, very hard. Both teams were real even."

Along with Murray, the Lynbrook coach was also impressive with Westmont lineman T.J. Aimonetti.

Westmont will be gunning for its first win of the year when the Warriors host Fremont on Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Lynbrook will try to make it two straight a night later when the Vikings take on Prospect on Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., at Cupertino.

"They're a good team," Blaschke said of Prospect. "They like to throw the ball. They have a good quarterback and a couple of good receivers.

"But we're going to be the same thing," he added. "We run the no-huddle offense, and we're going to try to get after them."

Just like the Vikings did against Westmont.

Falcons fall

In other local action last weekend, Saratoga could manage just a field goal by Bickenbach in a 14-3 loss to Soquel, and Prospect dropped a 13-7 nod to Fremont.

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