The Live Oak High football is feeling good after escaping with a
narrow victory over Santa Clara last week.
Morgan Hill – The Live Oak High football is feeling good after escaping with a narrow victory over Santa Clara last week.
But the Acorns know that this week is when the season truly starts as they open league play in the Mt. Hamilton Division against Piedmont Hill tonight at home at 7.
“They’re big, they’re athletic, they throw it a lot, they’ve got some running backs that are pretty darn good,” Live Oak coach Rick Booth said of the Pirates.
Quarterback Danny Cruz has led the offense thus far, throwing for 589 yards and five touchdowns on the season.
His main target has been Alex McCarthy, who has caught 19 passes for 261 yards. Alex Diaz and Joe Follen both have caught seven passes for a team that has big-play potential.
“Defensively, we need to not allow them to have a big play,” Booth said.
The running game has been effective when it’s been used. Devon Mynheir tops the team with 20 carries and has gained 107 yards on scored a touchdown. Cruz has carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards and has one rushing touchdown for a team that is 1-2 entering league play, including a 21-11 loss to Bellarmine Prep to open the season.
Most recently, the Pirates are coming off a 40-13 loss to Los Gatos and Live Oak will hope to use its momentum to get a win.
Live Oak has won two in a row, including a 31-25 win over the Bruins last week, and are looking for a solid 3-1 start.
Booth has made a change at the starting quarterback position. Junior Timothy O’Rourke, who has seen action in each of the last two games, will get the nod while senior Chris Nicholls will focus his attention on playing corner back and wide receiver.
The running game has continued to be a strength all season long. Senior running back Kevin Abbott gained 147 yards on 20 carries last week and has 434 yards and six touchdowns so far this season.Â
