San Jose – As the 2007-08 football season develops, so do the
expectations of the Sobrato High School football team. On Friday
the Bulldogs delivered a 26-15 win against division counterparts
the San Jose High Academy Bulldogs to even their league record at
2-2.
San Jose – As the 2007-08 football season develops, so do the expectations of the Sobrato High School football team.
On Friday the Bulldogs delivered a 26-15 win against division counterparts the San Jose High Academy Bulldogs to even their league record at 2-2.
The Sobrato defense held the San Jose Bulldogs scoreless through the first three quarters with a strong rush and a quick pass defense.
On the offensive side Sobrato showed balance and flexibility scoring two touchdowns in the air and two on the ground.
The first touchdown came late in the first quarter on Sobrato’s first possession of the game. Senior running back Steven Guiterrez scored on a two yard run, capping a 16 play, 83-yard drive.
On San Jose’s next possession, Sobrato’s junior defensive tackle Cody Nance stuffed the (San Jose) Bulldogs’ fullback Mark Sousa in the backfield for a two-yard loss.
Keeping the pressure constant Sobrato’s sure-handed wide receiver and defensive back Alex Meldrum intercepted San Jose quarterback Bryan Oliveria’s pass on the next play, bringing the offensive unit back onto the field.
Unable to gain a first down, Sobrato punted the ball away at the beginning of the second quarter, giving the (San Jose) Bulldogs another offensive opportunity.
San Jose was barely able to take the ball past mid-field, and the (Sobrato) Bulldogs’ senior linebacker Adrian Alcantara sacked Oliveria for a for a three-yard loss forcing San Jose to punt.
The two teams maintained their defensive pressure through the quarter, and heading into half-time with a 7-0 lead the Bulldog’s knew they had to execute to maintain their lead and win the game.
On the first drive of the half, Sobrato’s junior quarterback Erick Levell fed the ball to junior running back Anthony Zizzo on six of seven plays for the score.
Aided by two San Jose penalties and a 13-yard carry by senior Jo Jo Anaya, Zizzo ran 51 yards on six carries extending Sobrato’s lead 14-0.
San Jose could go no where on their ensuing possession as the Sobrato defense nearly intercepted two passes and held the (San Jose) Bulldogs to a one-yard gain.
With 8:25 left in the third quarter, Sobrato took over on their own 40-yard line and 60 yards on six plays for yet another score.
After five straight running plays Sobrato surprised San Jose as Levell connected with Meldrum on a 21-yard touchdown pass bringing the score to 20-0.
In an attempt to maintain possession, Sobrato’s sophomore kicker Adam Guerra kicked an onside kick which San Jose recovered at their own 37-yard line.
Desperate to get on the board, the (San Jose) Bulldogs’ grinded out short yardage gains with a combination of passes and runs to get into the red zone.
On third and seven from 17-yards out Sobrato was called for a pass interference penalty giving San Jose a first a goal from the nine-yard line.
Monge took a toss for a 4-yard gain on first down and, after switching sides for the start of the fourth quarter, maintained the momentum and scored San Jose’s first touchdown on second down from five yards out.
Sobrato junior Michael McChesney took the ensuing kickoff to the 43-yard line, giving his team great field position.
Using a balanced running attack the (Sobrato) Bulldogs handed the ball to Zizzo on first and ten for a 14-yard gain, then to Anaya for an eight yard gain, and to Guiterrez for a 12-yard gain.
With a first and ten from 23 yards out, Levell again connected with a wide open Meldrum for the touchdown.
Opting for the two-point conversion, Levell threw an incomplete pass, but Sobrato extended their lead to 26-7 with 10:47 left in the game.
San Jose did not score on their following possession, and Sobrato took over eager to burn precious minutes off the clock.
On a 10-play drive Sobrato confidently marched through mid-field, highlighted by a nine yard gain by Zizzo on second and 14.
Zizzo broke to the outside and, finding himself alone with only one San Jose defender, charged straight ahead and steamrolled the (San Jose) Bulldogs defensive back Phillip Watkins.
Sobrato head coach Dan Brown is pleased with the direction his team is heading in and, despite a few injuries and position changes, confident his team will get better as they heal and develop.
“We weren’t really running on all cylinders, and we were off just a tad,” Brown said. ” … were doing what we were supposed to do, and we could drive the ball at will.”
After last week’s Saturday win against Overfelt, the (Sobrato) Bulldogs had a shorter week than usual, but used their practice time to work on defense and tackling.
“We did a lot of extra tackling drills, and I definitely think they helped,” Brown said.
Zizzo finished with a game high 97 yards on 13 carries, and attributed the win to his teams preparation and control.
“At half-time coach told us to play with discipline, and to play every play all the way through,”‘ Zizzo said. “And I have to give a lot of credit to the linemen. They do a big part of helping me make the plays. They came out and played really hard, and we won because we stayed disciplined.”
