Souza, Taylor recover fumbles for Morgan Hill’s defense in 18-0
defeat
MORGAN HILL — The Morgan Hill Junior Pee Wee Raiders put up a good fight against the Santa Clara Thundercats but suffered their first home loss of the season, 18-0, at the Outdoor Sports Center.
Raiders quarterback Miles Kendrick and running backs Paul Lomanto and Justin Sanders executed a variety of plays to move the ball downfield in the first quarter. Teammate Trent Costello rushed for yards, and feisty defensive lineman Niko Taylor recovered a fumble for Morgan Hill minutes before the end of the period — but Santa Clara held the Raiders scoreless.
The second quarter played out like a cat-and-mouse game until the Thundercats scored their first touchdown to go in front 6-0.
With the Raider faithful cheering, Morgan Hill got the ball back with four minutes left until halftime. Angelo Knight maneuvered through the clawing opposition, but Santa Clara stopped Morgan Hill’s progress. The Thundercats when ahead 12-0 with a 31-yard touchdown run. The Raiders blocked the extra point.
Morgan Hill had momentum to start the second half, as Kendrick hooked up with tight end Alexander Panos on a 23-yard pass that put the Raiders at the Santa Clara 2-yard line. A penalty, though, negated the play. Lomanto ran the ball to the 15, but the Thundercats came up with an interception a few plays later.
Led by Reece Dominguez, Jared Luner, Bailey Schroeder, Jesse Sanchez, Dylan Jud and Alexander Cornejo, Morgan Hill’s dynamic defense held Santa Clara scoreless the rest of the period.
The Raiders earned several first downs and had a fumble recovered by Tyler Souza during an action-packed fourth quarter. The Thundercats scored their final touchdown with about two minutes remaining.
