Sobrato’s first game in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mount Hamilton Division ended in dramatic fashion Friday, as the Bulldogs upended Willow Glen 26-25 in San Jose.
The Bulldogs, who went ahead in the final minute of play, won after blocking a 30-yard field goal attempt as time expired. The game was a back-and-fourth duel between the two teams.
Both teams traded points entering the final quarter. Willow Glen held a 25-20 advantage until the Bulldogs led by Michael Bocksnick, who accounted for a pair of touchdowns, and Miguel Redmond drove Sobrato down the field as time expired.
With less than a minute left, Calvin Tipton gave Sobrato the slight advantage with a 45-yard touchdown catch.
On the ensuing kickoff, Willow Glen returned the ball into Bulldog territory. Using a short passing game, Willow Glen drove to the Sobrato 13-yard line before setting up for the game-ending field goal attempt.
Sobrato, though, blocked the field goal. But as the Bulldogs celebrated, Willow Glen fielded the block and ran it into the end zone for the possible game-winning touchdown. But the Rams’ holder, quarterback Matt Toscano, was flagged for removing his helmet during the live play. The penalty took away the Rams’ touchdown and handed Sobrato the win.
“The play was whistled dead,” Sobrato head coach Nick Borello said. “It was chaotic, but we won the game.”
According the game referees, the Willow Glen touchdown would have counted if there was no penalty.
Look for more in Tuesday’s Morgan Hill Times.
