Acorns and Bruins are both on two-game skids entering game
Morgan Hill – Two teams looking to get back on track will square off today when Live Oak travels to face Branham.
The Acorns and Bruins are both after their first win in Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division play when they kick off at 3:30pm.
Their seasons have followed a similar path thus far.
Live Oak suffered a tough 22-21 loss to open its season but rebounded to win its next two games and entered league play with some momentum. But that was followed up with a 24-6 loss to Piedmont Hills and last week’s 34-8 pounding by first-place Leigh.
Branham entered league play two weeks ago with a 3-0 record. It opened its season by squeaking out a tough 21-20 win over North Salinas before picking up wins over Homestead and Gunderson.
The Bruins then began BVAL play with a 52-17 loss to league favorite Oak Grove and dropped a 33-19 decision to Piedmont Hills last week.
All that makes this week an interesting and important one for both teams.
“It doesn’t get any easier,” Live Oak coach Rick Booth said after last week’s loss. “Branham’s a very good football team.”
Similar to Leigh, the Bruins feature a balance attack. They come in averaging 329.2 yards per game, with 177.2 of those yards coming through the air, specifically from the arm of 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback Jason Catalano.
Catalano has thrown for 886 yards this season with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mandel Wright has been his most frequent target with 26 catches for 459 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior Craig Hertler has been steady in the running game, averaging 109.2 yards per game. He’s scored four touchdowns while picking up more than seven yards per carry.
The Acorns hope their defense can be up to the task of stopping them.
“More work,” said junior linebacker Garrett Webb regarding what it will take to bounce back after last week’s tough loss. “Be more aggressive on defense.”
Live Oak has relied heavily on the running game the past two weeks. Senior Chris Nicholls started the first three games at quarterback and injured his hand on the second of two plays he saw at quarterback against Piedmont Hills.
Junior Timothy O’Rourke took over the starting job before the Piedmont Hills game and is looking to have a strong performance this week. He was under a ton of defensive pressure last week against Leigh and the Acorns will need to help him by winning the battle in the trenches.
Live Oak senior running back Kevin Abbott will again likely pace the offense. He’s averaged 132.8 yards per game this season and scored seven touchdowns.
