With the first win under its belt since the 2001-2002 season,
the Live Oak High football team is looking to carry the momentum
into Friday
’s when the Acorns travel to Salinas to take on Alisal. Live Oak
plays at Alisal at 7:30pm Friday.
With the first win under its belt since the 2001-2002 season, the Live Oak High football team is looking to carry the momentum into Friday’s when the Acorns travel to Salinas to take on Alisal.
Live Oak plays at Alisal at 7:30pm Friday.
By shutting out Alvarez 28-0 last Friday, the Acorns snapped a winless streak going back nearly three years. And, the last time Live Oak won a home game was four years ago against Alisal.
“The team is pretty high right now,” Live Oak coach Glen Webb said. “I hope they can sustain that.”
Webb said he will work hard this week to keep the fire lit for his players. He said Alisal’s offense and defense will present a difficult challenge for his team.
“There is a lot to teach in a short amount of time,” Webb said. “But we have far more weapons than in the past. It is my job to keep them focused at the task at hand.”
Alisal is coming off a 53-7 blowout loss suffered at the hands of Palma last Friday, during which the Trojans gave up nearly 500 yards, nearly all coming via the rush.
Meanwhile, Alisal was only able to etch out 177 total yards and the team’s lone touchdown came early in the first quarter.
The last time the two teams met, last season, the game ended in a 20-20 tie following a last-minute fourth-quarter drive which denied Live Oak the victory. The Acorns were forced to “host” Alisal at Gilroy High because of the poor condition of Richert Field.
First-year Alisal coach Sunil Smith said he will be poring over films of Live Oak’s victory over Alvarez to prepare his players.
“We are going to practice hard like we normally do,” Smith said. “They gave us a real tough game last time.”
Alisal features several key players, including senior Raymond Gutierrez, one of several returning players in the Trojan lineup, who is one of the team’s top rushers and also plays strong safety.
“He is one of the smartest guys on either side of the ball,” Smith said of his player who also plays fullback and strong safety.
Other top players include tight end/defensive end Ruben Moralez and fullback/linebacker Abraham Valdez. Junior running back Jose Romero will also be a key component in Alisal’s rushing attack.
