Against former coach, Sobrato has no answer for mighty
Chargers
SANTA CLARA –The Sobrato Bulldogs’ second postseason run was brought to an emphatic halt by their former head coach.
Wilcox defensive coordinator Dan Brown, who was at the helm for the Bulldogs’ 2006-07 campaigns, concocted a scheme that worked to perfection Friday, as the host No. 2-seeded Chargers overwhelmed Sobrato, 48-0, in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs.
There were times in the game that Sobrato’s offensive players came to the sideline at foggy Fitzpatrick Field saying the defense knew what play was coming.
It certainly looked that way. The No. 7 Bulldogs gained 175 yards in total offense to the Chargers’ 343 and did not enter Wilcox’s red zone. Sobrato’s two longest drives ended at the WHS 23-yard line in the fourth quarter.
“We’re upset we lost, but we’re more upset because it’s over,” Bulldogs center/nose guard Joel Rueda said. “Wilcox is a great team. This doesn’t take anything away from what we accomplished this season.”
Sobrato’s 8-3 finish (5-1 in West Valley Division) marks the best record in the program’s six-year history.
“It really is a credit to the hard work these guys have put in,” Sobrato coach Nick Borello said.
Rueda and some of the other senior Bulldogs were the last active members of the 2007 varsity team that earned Sobrato’s first CCS berth under Brown. Borello was promoted to head coach after Brown was fired in February 2008. Brown coached Willow Glen last season.
“I have no animosity toward Sobrato, but this was an emotional game for me,” said Brown, who lives in Morgan Hill. “I’m very happy to see where the program is now. Some of the guys … I remember them all right. It was great seeing them out here.”
Patrick Bacciarelli passed for 47 yards and rushed for 41, and fullback/cornerback Ralph Jackson carried 12 times for 45 yards and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs. Sophomore halfback Obi Mbonu ran for 29 yards in three attempts and came up with an interception in the third quarter.
Sobrato stopped the Chargers’ opening drive on a fourth-and-four at the SHS 31 but did not muster many highlights from there. The Bulldogs fumbled four times — losing one — and had a pass intercepted.
“We weren’t nervous. We lost the ball because of mistakes,” Bacciarelli said. “It’s not the way we wanted to end this season. But it was a great year for us. Hopefully, the younger guys will keep it going.”
Wilcox (6-3-1), a De Anza Division club ranked No. 12 in the county by the San Jose Mercury News, built a 34-0 lead in the first half with touchdown dives of 8 and 6 yards by powerback Anthony Pohahua, a 33-yard scoring strike from quarterback Kyle Johnson to Jordan Gibson and defensive tackle Kasi Likio’s 64-yard interception return for a touchdown. Anthony Herrera added the first of two touchdown runs from 10 yards out.
Herrera, a stocky junior running back, found the end zone again on a 4-yard dive — part of his game-high 96 rushing yards.
