Local teams open division play on the road this weekend
SAN JOSE — It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Live Oak is coming off one of its toughest defeats in school history.
Tonight the winless Acorns will try to move on from their first loss in history to Sobrato against Pioneer (3-0), the 11th-best program in Santa Clara County according to the San Jose Mercury News. The Mount Hamilton Division opener for both teams starts at 7 p.m. at Pioneer High School.
Live Oak coach Jon Michael Porras said his players are still feeling Friday’s loss — but are more disappointed with their 0-3 finish in nonleague play.
“They know they haven’t performed to their expectations,” Porras said Thursday. “When you’re 0-3, it’s clear you’re not where you need to be. We have to put it together.”
The Acorns’ defense can’t say it’s not ready for the Mustangs, who run the same wing T offense as Sobrato and Lincoln — Live Oak’s next opponent. Unlike last year’s team that beat the Acorns 49-18, Pioneer doesn’t have one go-to guy, Porras said. The Mustangs have “three or four.”
“They have a huge fullback, two fast wingbacks and a strong tight end and receiver,” the third-year coach added. “We feel like we have a shot to win this game, but we have to erase penalties and mistakes to have any kind of shot.”
In a West Valley Division opener that was recently moved, the El Toro Bowl champion Sobrato Bulldogs will play Silver Creek at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in San Jose.
The pass-happy Raiders (1-2) are one of few teams the Bulldogs (2-1) had their eyes out for in the preseason. The winner gains a huge foothole toward winning league and taking the West Valley’s lone automatic playoff berth.
Silver Creek quarterback Trevor Luescher is averaging 221.5 passing yards a game.
Calls to Sobrato coach Nick Borello were not returned.
