After back-to-back losses to Silver Creek and Lincoln, the Acorns will look to return to their early-season winning ways Friday when they host Gunderson at 7 p.m.
Gunderson is the third-consecutive team the Acorns have faced that sits atop the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Santa Teresa Division standings. The Grizzlies sit at 4-0 in league play and 6-1 overall. Live Oak remains two games back at 2-2 inside the BVAL.
The Acorns will have their hands full with the Grizzlies explosive running game. After allowing more than 300 yards on the ground a week ago against Lincoln, Gunderson brings a more dynamic rushing attack to the field.
The Grizzlies, using 10 rushers, have run for 2,155 yards in seven games. Sophomore DeJon Packer is the Grizzlies’ key. With only 81 carries, Packer has rushed for 869 yards and eight touchdowns. He averages more than 10 yards per carry this year.
If Live Oak slows down Packer, they’ll need to stop seniors Nick Melchor (79 carries for 480 yards) and Felipe Negron (69 carries for 602 yards).
Live Oak, though, also brings a strong running game to the field, led by junior Trevor Bearden, who has taken his 138 carries for 1,187 yards and 10 touchdowns. Mark Butterworth will share the load at times, rushing for 355 yards on 64 carries.
Sobrato
After last week’s statement win over Pioneer, the Bulldogs can give themselves a better position inside the BVAL’s Mount Hamilton Division against Independence at 7 p.m. Friday in San Jose.
The 76ers have struggled with consistency this year, and sit at 0-4 inside league play. Overall, they are 3-4. The 76ers are a heavy running team – rushing for more than 250 yards per game.
Seniors JoJo Valenzuela and Allen Anderson share the load for the 76ers. On 39 carries, Valenzuela leads the team with 536 yards. Anderson is close behind with 469 yards on the ground.
The Bulldogs, though, will continue to spread the ball around behind senior quarterback Michael Bocksnick and running back Miguel Redmond.
In seven games so far this year, Redmond has been the Bulldogs biggest offensive weapon. Rushing the ball, Redmond has 832 yards on 106 carries. Drew Glines, though, has been the Bulldogs best weapon near the endzone, scoring a team-high eight touchdowns this year.
With a win, Sobrato will say at second-place inside the BVAL, one game behind undefeated Oak Grove. The Bulldogs face the Eagles next week in San Jose.
