MILPITAS
– Although Live Oak was shutout 24-0 in the season opener Friday
night, the score could have been a lot worse.
MILPITAS – Although Live Oak was shutout 24-0 in the season opener Friday night, the score could have been a lot worse.
The Acorns gave up three touchdowns and a field goal, but the defense for the most part held its ground at the newly remodeled Milpitas High School astroturf field. Live Oak was missing Second Team offensive player Daniel Salinas, who sprained his ankle in practice on Wednesday.
“We were playing some musical chairs,” said Live Oak coach Glen Webb. “There are no more rookies now. Everyone has received a taste now, and they have gained a lot of confidence.”
The late scratch to the lineup meant backs like Cody Welch and Brian Crane had to pick up the slack. But that was a tough task against Milpitas’ defense, which allowed only three first down conversions in the game. The Live Oak defense at times also looked strong.
“They have a good run defense because they are in power league,” said Milpitas coach Kelly King. “They always come ready to play.”
“We were able to execute our defensive game plan well,” said Live Oak coach Glen Webb. “They got a couple of short-field scores. Our defense didn’t give up much.”
Live Oak won the coin toss, but that was where the breaks ended. After a fumble, Milpitas recovered on the 25-yard line.
Live Oak forced quarterback Doug Cech to two incompletions on the drive, and Matt Wahl made a big tackle for a two-yard loss. On one of the passes, linebacker Calvin Ressler stuck to his man to not allow any separation and forced the forth down.
But Cech found receiver Carlos Correa for a 15-yard gain and the first down. The Trojans were eventually able to capitalize on the turnover with a one-yard touchdown run by Siua Musika.
Allan Huggins came up with a punt recovery.
The momentum was short lived as quarterback Steve Conner’s pass was picked by David Haile, who returned it for a 72-yard touchdown to put the Trojans up 14-0 with 5:11 left in the first quarter.
Milpitas started at the midfield mark after a strong kick out the end zone by Zachary Frates and eventually had to settle for a 31-yard field goal that hit the upright and bounced through as the second quarter began.
Milpitas capped off the scoring with 5:40 left before the half with a 19-yard touchdown run by running back Michael Fullbright.
“That was the old Statue of Liberty play,” Webb said. “Our coverage broke down on that one.”
Live Oak picked up its first first down of the game with 1:40 left before the half as Brian Crane, who rushed for 31 yards, found an opening up the middle for 17 yards.
Jonathan Redmond came in to quarterback on the drive and found Conner for six yards. The Acorns picked up a 16-yard interference call, which moved the ball to the Milpitas -31. But after penalties and yardage losses, Live Oak had to punt.
Live Oak picked up its third first down in the fourth quarter after Conner, who was four for 12 for 28 yards, ran into trouble but alertly found Welch, who turned it into a 20-yard gain – the longest of the day.
Andrew Cummins came close to making a nice save on a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter, but the ball just went out of bound as he dove to keep it in.
Milpitas rushed for 182 yards, while Live Oak rushed for just 24 total yards in the game. Milpitas, which doubled the amount of running attempts from Live Oak, did most of its damage with its versatile quarterback, who ran for 39 yards on five caries.
“Milpitas is a big and quick team with some athletes,” Webb said. “But the kids played with heart an never gave up.”
Things don’t get any easier for Live Oak in the home coming match this week against Oak Grove.
