In our quest to give you the best high school football preview
edition, we the sports writers of South Valley Newspapers came up
with more story ideas than we have space to print them. Here’s one
tidbit you won’t find in newsstands Aug. 30: My look at Morgan
Hill’s 10 most pivotal games of 2011, listed chronologically
In our quest to give you the best high school football preview edition, we the sports writers of South Valley Newspapers came up with more story ideas than we have space to print them.
Here’s one tidbit you won’t find in newsstands Aug. 30: My look at Morgan Hill’s 10 most pivotal games of 2011, listed chronologically.
In compiling this, I came to the conclusion that Live Oak may be the most fortunate team in the Mount Hamilton Division. The Acorns host the likes of Oak Grove, Willow Glen, Leland and Independence — a bona fide up-and-comer from the Santa Teresa Division — and will play their road games in the league’s redevelopment district, taking on Santa Teresa, Pioneer and Piedmont Hills, which graduated 25 players from its 2010 Central Coast Section Division I championship team.
Conversely, Sobrato will face its toughest tests on the road, traveling to Leland, Lincoln, Gunderson and Mount Pleasant. The Bulldogs have the advantage of “hosting” this year’s El Toro Bowl, where the home team is 4-0.
Let the games begin.
Live Oak at Gilroy, Sept. 2
If not for the fact Gilroy has swept the Garlic and Mushroom Fest (yes, I just made that up) since the Mustangs and Acorns rekindled their football rivalry in 2009, this showdown between perennial sub-.500 finishers wouldn’t make the list.
Live Oak needs to beat Gilroy more than ever. The Acorns once again face a tough conference schedule and can hardly afford any slips in nonleague play. Live Oak has a golden opportunity to knock off Gilroy; the Mustangs are in a massive rebuilding under rookie coach Steven Lo.
Live Oak-Gilroy is always big anyway. Ask your parents.
Sobrato at Leland, Sept. 9
Both sides showed a tremendous amount of mutual respect during offseason full-contact scrimmages. Don’t be fooled — these teams don’t like each other.
The Bulldogs touted their 35-34 upset of Leland, a 2010 Division II semifinalist, as their biggest win since the 2009 El Toro Bowl. The Chargers had reason to write it off as a fluke and will be eager to make amends in Pat Tillman Stadium.
El Toro Bowl, Sept. 17
No need to dwell. Live Oak prevailed, 21-14, in last year’s edition and made the postseason. Sobrato missed it by one win.
Live Oak at Santa Teresa, Oct. 8
The Acorns will want a victory in this one for first-year coach Mike Gemo, a former assistant under Santa Teresa coach Nick Alfano, and to avenge a 35-28 loss in 2010.
The Saints overcame a 21-0 deficit, scoring the winning touchdown in the final minute.
Sobrato at Lincoln, Oct. 14
Another one that got away in 2010; the Bulldogs had momentum and a 30-28 lead at halftime before being shut out the rest of the way. The Lions continued their run to a share of the Santa Teresa Division title.
This year’s meeting should be just as crucial.
Independence at Live Oak, Oct. 21
Former Sobrato assistant coach Norm Brown gets another crack at Live Oak in what will be a must-win for the Acorns, who face the meat of the Mount Hamilton Division in the coming weeks.
Sobrato at Gunderson, Oct. 21
A potential trap game for the Bulldogs; Gunderson will be out to avenge back-to-back loss from 2009-10.
Live Oak at Piedmont Hills, Nov. 4
The Acorns have a realistic shot at beating the Bucs for the first time in three years. Can they outgun Piedmont Hills’ spread-option attack?
Sobrato at Mount Pleasant, Nov. 11
Think the Bulldogs have forgotten about the previous meeting, a 21-14 loss that cost them the West Valley Division title in 2009? Think again.
Live Oak vs. Willow Glen, Nov. 11
The Mitch Ravizza Show comes to Morgan Hill — and just in time to settle any last playoff hopes for both teams.
The Acorns can end the regular season in a big way against the defending Division II champs.
