EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to smoke from the fires in the North Bay, Saturday’s game could be affected. It is unclear if conditions prove to be unhealthy if the game will be postponed or moved. That decision will be made closer to Saturday, according to coach Tony Holmes. As of Thursday morning, plans are to have the game proceed as normal, but conditions will be watched closely.
Sobrato has two massive tests behind it and there is one more to come on Saturday.
As the Bulldogs aim to prove they are the elite of the West Valley Division and are more than the four wins in two years in the past.
“They know all eyeballs are on them. All they want do is prove they can play this game,” said coach Tony Holmes. “They’re used to people underestimating our talent. We’re going to keep working at it and eventually we’ll get everyone else to be all in. We just have to keep working at it.”
Sobrato is coming off an utter desolation of Overfelt, 61-34, in a game that some saw as the true title match of the West Valley Division.
But in front of the Bulldogs is the last team to be undefeated in league play apart from Sobrato.
A win over Evergreen Valley leaves Sobrato with Prospect as the only team remaining with a win on its record. Still to come are James Lick and Mt. Pleasant who have yet to win this season. Assuming no significant injuries or a massive let down, the Bulldogs would have clear sailing once they get past the Cougars.
Holmes said the win over Overfelt has the Bulldogs going in the right direction, but acknowledged Evergreen will not just let Sobrato earn the win easily.
“That momentum for us going into this game is huge,” Holmes said. “Here it is the third game and we’re the underdog. Even though we have better record, they’re 3-0. We feel like there’s slight possibility we could fall to them. Preaching that to guys makes more energetic at practice.”
Holmes said he simply wants to give his boys some motivation to continue the fight and at the same time, preventing them from getting complacent, especially coming off a strong game from last week.
Holmes said the X factor is going to be his seniors, who have stepped up to lead the team this season and has helped rally the underclassmen to success.
Evergreen Valley joins Sobrato at 3-0 in league play after knocking off Prospect a week ago in a battle of two teams sitting at 2-0.
The Cougars entered WV play 0-3 after losses to Independence, Monta Vista-Mountain View and Silver Creek.
But in league play, Evergreen has had the easier route through three games. The Cougars’ first two matches were against 1-5 Yerba Buena and 0-6 Mt. Pleasant before taking on 2-4 Prospect.
Sobrato, meanwhile, ended Andrew Hill’s perfect 3-0 run before knocking off YB ahead of upending Overfelt.
Holmes, however, is not going to focus on records or opponents of Evergreen or anyone else and will instead treat everyone as a formidable foe.
“We can’t get complacent. We’re moving forward and we have to take everyone seriously and focus on every opponent regardless of the opponent,” Holmes said.
In front of Sobrato is a solid spread offense with a good runningback to help balance things out.
Holmes singled out Evergreen’s quarterback as being one of those players his team has to make they know where he is and doesn’t explode for too many plays.
“He’s one of those athletes that will get you on a run play,” Holmes said. “He has some very deceptive speed. We have to make sure to hold him at bay.”
On top of that, Sobrato will have to deal with runningback Jorge Myers who can break out for solid runs and slash a team.
Moving away from the offense, Holmes said Evergreen’s defense can make trouble for people and noted how the Cougars are aggressive up front.
“Their defensive line looks like they have a little size up front on game film. They are aggressive,” Holmes said. “Our offensive line has got to be prepared for what they’re going to be up against.”
