Saratoga News
Sports
Falcons celebrate homecoming with win
By Brad Wall
With two quality teams, packed stands and all the pomp and festivities that go along with homecoming, there was a "big game" feel in the night air as the Monta Vista Matadors took on the Saratoga Falcons.
Fortunately for the fans in attendance, neither the Saratoga nor Monta Vista disappointed as the Falcons used a big second half to pull out an exciting 28-14 victory over the previously unbeaten Matadors.
"We had a tough week in practice; that Los Altos game [a 31-21 Saratoga loss] was a lot to overcome," said Saratoga head coach Kurt Heinrich. "I'm really proud of the way we responded. We did a good job."
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.
"Teams spend so much time worrying about Alex Lagemann, that some of the other guys are available," said Heinrich. "[That pass] was there for us earlier in the game. Kevin was finally patient and threw a really good a ball and Sean showed really good speed getting to the end zone."
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 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.
The fourth quarter was dominated by Liccardo as he racked up 43 of his 100 yards in the final stanza and the Falcons clinched the game with a textbook 14-yard touchdown lob from Sieczkarek to Lagemann with 2:12 left.
"The fact that it was our first night game for homecoming, with the band and the festivities [made] it a good atmosphere," said Heinrich.
For the Matadors, though, the night wasn't nearly as fun as dreams of an undefeated season were washed away in a sea of red.
"Right now it's tough to go ahead and swallow the fact that we didn't win this one," said Mueller. "We made some mistakes and that's what happens when you make mistakes."
The Falcons were led on the ground by Liccardo, who finished with 12 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Sieczkarek, who after rotating with Matt Casas in the first quarter, took the reigns for the rest of the game, finishing 7 for 9 for 98 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
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.
Both teams are back in action on Oct. 20, Saratoga hosting Los Gatos in a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. and Monta Vista facing Lynbrook at 7 p.m. at Cupertino.
