Raiders respond after loss to Gilroy
MORGAN HILL — Morgan Hill’s Junior Midget Raiders began their 2009 home stand with a gritty 20-0 victory Saturday over the Cambrian Longhorns.
The Raiders’ ground attack churned out 167 yards on 30 attempts at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center with running backs Jesse Osuna, Colby Lauback and Jacob Hoekstra leading the way. Morgan Hill quarterback Brandon Sorce also had a productive afternoon, completing 4 of 5 passes for 33 yards.
The Raiders put together their first scoring drive in the second quarter after Nicholas Secolo tackled a Cambrian receiver shy of the first-down marker on fourth down. Morgan Hill marched 86 yards to the end zone, getting big runs by Lauback and Osuna and sound blocking up front.
Lauback recovered a fumble on the Longhorns’ next possession, and teammate Matthew Bellah intercepted a pass near the end of the second quarter.
After halftime, Osuna broke the game open when he returned the opening kick-off 65 yards for a touchdown. Joseph Amaral’s conversion kick made it 14-0.
Morgan Hill’s physical play continued through the final quarter. Lauback made a second fumble recovery and, after a 9-yard run by Ryan Quadros, punched in from a yard out for the final score. Teammates Daniel Dunham, Josh Alaniz, Ryan Reinke and Porras preserved the shutout with sure tackling down the stretch.
Even the Raiders’ special teams had a big day; Morgan Hill averaged 49 yards on just three punts.
The victory came after Morgan Hill was shut out 16-0 at Gilroy a week ago.
Defensively, the Silver and Black had much to celebrate, including Alaniz’s fumble recovery on the second play of the game. The Raiders also received solid defensive efforts from Lauback, Porras, Dylan Pate and the linebacking corps of Quadros, Dunham and Osuna.
Morgan Hill controlled the fourth quarter and was in position to score before its 14-play, 31-yard drive stalled at the Browns’ 23-yard line. The Raiders got the ball back on Gilroy’s ensuing drive, though, when Quadros punched the ball loose and Hoekstra recovered it at the Browns’ 20.
With 1:27 remaining, Lauback reeled off a short run to set up an 18-yard pass from Sorce to Osuna. The Raiders fumbled the ball away on first-and-goal from the 1 with 43 seconds left.
