Saratoga News

Sports

Essner's big second half sparks Saratoga to win over Live Oak

By Dick Sparrer

It was a problem in the season opener against Menlo-Atherton, and it was a problem again last weekend for the Saratoga football team--the Falcons were having trouble cashing in on opportunities.

That is, until the second half last Friday night at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill.

The Falcons took advantage of a Live Oak fumble deep in its own territory, scoring a touchdown to break a scoreless tie, and they rolled from there to an important 14-0 non-league victory over the Acorns.

"We needed it," said Saratoga coach Kurt Heinrich of the win, which followed a tough 21-13 loss to M-A in the season opener. "Live Oak traditionally had a pretty good program."

Two second-half touchdown runs by Gabe Essner was the difference on Friday night, and they came after the two clubs had slugged it out without a score in the first half.

"We had opportunities, but we squandered them away," said Heinrich of his club's first-half scoring chances.

The Falcons didn't squander away their first chance in the second half, though.

Saratoga's new kicker, Chris Clark, a senior off the soccer team who just came out last week, pinned the Acorns deep with his second-half kickoff. The Live Oak running back went six yards on first down but then was hammered by the Falcons.

"When he broke into the secondary, we wrapped him up," said Heinrich. "When he was in the grasp of other defensive players, Tim Yen and Matt Keating ripped the ball out of his hands."

Yen pounced on the fumble, and the Falcons were in business inside the Live Oak 30. A few plays later, Essner went eight yards for the touchdown and Clark kicked the extra point to put Saratoga on top 7-0.

"In the second half, Gabe really stepped to the forefront," said Heinrich of his senior fullback. "He really got it going in chunks of 12, 18, 20 yards--that kind of thing."

"They didn't stop it, so we kept doing it," added the coach.

Essner finished the night with 123 yards on 18 carries, including the two touchdown runs--the eight-yarder in the third and a three-yarder in the fourth. Clark converted after each TD.

The second touchdown came after a grind-it-out 70 yard drive behind the offensive line of tackles Zack Kowitz and David Pignatelli, guards Bryan Dodge and Alan Yen and center Scott Thoren. The coach also praised tight ends Alex Wokas and Keating for their blocking.

Supporting Essner offensively were backs Pete Florence, who "got some tough yards" and finished with 50 yards for the night, and Mat Spencer, who did a good job "catching the ball out of the backfield."

Keon Ghafouri split time between wide receiver and the backfield as the Falcons look for ways "to try to get him the ball," said Heinrich.

The coach also praised the work of wideout Andy Capek, who caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Guengerich on the second touchdown drive.

"I was happy. We were able to get a little bit of an identity," said Heinrich of Saratoga's offense. But it was defensively where the Falcons really stood out.

"I was really pleased with our defense," he said. "We didn't give up the big play. Our defensive guys did a good job of hustling to the ball and really set the tone of the game."

Leading the defensive showing was linebacker Steven Walker.

"He's put together two really good games," said Heinrich of the senior 'backer. "He's played the edge really well."

The coach singled out Darrek Emerson, a junior defensive back who he said "came in and made a lot of plays," along with Jasper Loren, Jonathan Yen and Scott McKenzie. He added the Ghafouri "covered well downfield."

One of the highlights of the night was the performance of Clark.

"He can kick it deep and high," said the coach of his new kicker. "He would kick it to the 2 and give them a long field to work with. He's going to be a good one for us."

The Falcons will try to make it two straight this week when they return home to host Capuchino in a non-league game on Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.

"They're big, and they're physical," said Heinrich of the Mustangs. "It will be a very physical game."

Capuchino lost its opener 42-7 to Miramonte last Saturday.