Live Oak clinched at least a share of the Santa Teresa Division title Friday night with a 35-14 win over Gunderson.
The Acorns used a balanced pass-run attack to improve to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in league play. The win also clinched the first league title since 2005.
“I’m happy for the kids. They worked hard and it’s great victory for the young men,” said coach Mike Gemo.
Live Oak can win the title outright — a first since 1996 — with a win over Evergreen Valley next week or a Lincoln loss at Silver Creek Saturday.
The Acorns have now come full circle from last year when a bad break cost them a chance at making a league title run. Now on the cusp of a perfect league season, Live Oak is reveling in the accomplishment.
“If none of that would have happened last year, we probably would have been in the same position as now. But it feels great to actually do it,” said running back Trevor Bearden
Meanwhile, the Acorns overcame a slow start to put Gunderson away by the third quarter.
Live Oak didn’t need to rely solely on Bearden as quarterback Erik Ornduff threw for 179 yards on 13 of 16 passing and a touchdown.
“It was nice to see him throw the ball around a little bit. Our receivers made some plays and it loosened him up to get the runs when we needed them,” Gemo said.
It was Ornduff’s best game since Gilroy in Week 1 when he threw for more than 200 yards.
The all time CCS rushing leader still increased his record by 128 yards on 20 carries with three touchdowns.
“He really helped me out a lot,” Bearden said of his quarterback. “I didn’t have to do too much this game. … Just resting and getting ready for playoffs.”
And the whole way, the Live Oak fans made it feel like a home game going crazy for four quarters. Live Oak students made a good showing, holding up hand-painted signs featuring such slogans as “Fear The Bearden” and others. They were flag waving, towel twirling superfans and it didn’t go unnoticed by the team.
After the game, Gemo pointed to the crowd — who had made its way to the field — to point out how much support the Acorns had in this league title run.
“It really pumps up the team. They’re part of the team,” Ornduff said.
The Grizzlies (2-7, 2-4) held Live Oak out of the end zone on its first drive, stymieing the Acorns inside the Gunderson 30.
Gunderson then responded with an 11-play, 76-yard drive that ended with Jake Spencer going seven yards for a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter.
“We came out a little flat and they had to smack us in the mouth a little bit and we woke and we took care of business,” Gemo said.
Live Oak responded behind Bearden going 65 yards, which he capped off by going the final 11 yards for a 7-6 lead.
The next drive changed the game.
Gunderson marched nearly unchecked to the Acorn 21. The next play saw Live Oak get the ball back and the Grizzlies’ best player get hurt.
Brandon Sorce intercepted DeJon Packer to kill the drive. Packer hurt his ankle on the play and had to be helped off the field.
Packer returned to the game, but wasn’t the same. He had 33 yards rushing on six carries before the injury and never attempted another run after.
“He’s a big time player and when he gets hurt I feel bad for coach (Steve) Papin,” Gemo said. “But the kids played hard tonight. They brought it for as long as they could.”
Meanwhile, Live Oak capitalized on the INT with a 59-yard drive that featured the start of Ornduff’s passing explosion.
He threw for 30 yards in the drive as he marched the Acorns to the Grizzlies 1.
Bearden took it the rest of the way for his second touchdown and a 14-6 lead in the final two seconds of the half.
Bearden made sure he didn’t need to play in the fourth quarter when he capped a 65-yard drive with a 14-yard scoring run to put Live Oak up 21-6.
The touchdown was set up by two Ornduff passes to Cole Campi for 51 yards total, including one of 36 yards.
Ornduff found the end zone at the end of the third quarter when he connected with Jesse Martinez for a 25-yard score to put Live Oak up 28-6.
Live Oak recovered an onside kick, which set up its final score of the game, a two-yard touchdown run by Paul Lomanto.
Leading 35-6, Gemo was able to pull his starters.
“I’m so happy. Everybody played. It was a great feeling, everybody was happy tonight,” Gemo said.
The backups getting in also allowed Live Oak to put in one play it has been working on for two weeks — 50 Norway.
It was a pass to exchange student August Halvorsen that went for one yard. The sidelines erupted when Halvorsen caught the ball, and he came off the field pounding his chest getting a chance to play.
“He caught it and I’m happy for him. He’s got something to take back to Norway about American football,” Gemo said.
On paper, Live Oak should have no problem against 1-8 Evergreen Valley, who picked up its first win Friday against San Jose.
Still, Live Oak will have the pressure of completing the perfect league stretch and win a first outright league title in 17 years.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Evergreen Valley.
