Antioch – Led by senior center Matt Ellis’ three tries, Live Oak
posted its first Bay Conference win against Antioch, 29-10, at the
Contra Costa County Fairgrounds.
Antioch – Led by senior center Matt Ellis’ three tries, Live Oak posted its first Bay Conference win against Antioch, 29-10, at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds.
Live Oak came out fast and furious against a sluggish Antioch team. Using their speed advantage out wide, the Acorn ruggers scored three tries, two by Ellis and one by senior wing Pat Powers while cruising to a 15-0 halftime lead. All three conversions were missed.
After the intermission, Antioch began to claw back into the game, scoring two unanswered tries on powerful runs by its large forward pack. Both conversions were missed and Live Oak’s lead was 15-10 with 20 minutes to play.
Antioch scored an apparent tying try seven minutes later, but the Panther player was forced out of play by Powers before he could touch down for the score. Live Oak took the ensuing 22-meter drop out kick deep. Antioch was unable to handle the kick cleanly and the Acorns took over possession, dodging a bullet and preserving the lead.
With the game nearing the 10-minute mark, Live Oak’s Ellis found himself with the ball and in space. A quick side-step and Ellis easily out-paced the Antioch defense to touch down his third try of the day.
Junior Will Sparling’s conversion was good and the score stood at 22-10. Senior center Victor Kalata scored the last try when he took an excellent off-load pass from junior scrum Nic Muhn as he was being tackled and touched down between the posts. The conversion by Sparling made the final score 29-10.
JV: Live Oak’s JV squad posted its second consecutive shutout, 38-0 against Antioch.
Five Acorn players scored tries led by Mark Blean’s two. Also scoring tries for Live Oak were Thomas Mangano, John Reichert, Jeff Blean, and Christoph Lauper. Lauper also added four conversions to round out the scoring.
Live Oak continues league play this Saturday against San Francisco – Golden Gate on Treasure Island. Game times have yet to be determined.
