Acorns defeat Silicon Valley, 8-3, to earn No. 1 seed in NorCal
playoffs
Morgan Hill – Live Oak High School hosted the 2006 Skyhawk Championships on Saturday. The title game pitted the two-time defending Champion Silicon Valley Durabos of Sunnyvale against Live Oak, (13-1, 6-0 league) this season’s top playoff seed. Silicon Valley was awarded the conference’s second seed when East Palo Alto was forced to forfeit three league games for using an ineligible player.
Unlike their previous meeting, Live Oak game out hard and fast. The Acorns took control of the game, posting an 8-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of play on a try by Oliver Garcia (Sr., hooker) and penalty kick by Erik Cifuentes (Sr., 8-man). Playing into a slight wind, Live Oak would keep Silicon Valley bottled up in their defensive end for much of the first half. The Acorn forward pack continually spoiled or stole the Durabos lineout and scrum possessions, forcing the over-matched Silicon Valley forwards backward after nearly every set piece.
“The championship feels great,” said Dustin Muhn, Live Oak’s captain. “This is the most prestigious championship we’ve won. It’s great to have a reward after three years of hard work.”
“I have no words for it,” added Chris Rockwell. “Coach did a great job the last three years. He expanded all of our horizons for after high school.”
As the second half got under way, Live Oak would continue its dominance. The forward pack, led by Rockwell (Sr., prop) continued to pressure Silicon Valley at all scrums and line outs. Live Oak’s trio of senior flankers – Kaleb Simpson, Jimmy Van Landingham, and Mark Pimentel – were a constant presence at all rucks and mauls. Colby Austin (Sr., prop), Tom Russo (Sr., lock), and Jason Romero (Sr., lock) helped power up the Acorn scrum that performed like a machine, denying Silicon Valley of valuable ball possession and enabled Live Oak to enjoy a 70-80 percent advantage in possession and territory. Although held to its lowest point total of the season, the Live Oak back line, lead by Muhn (Sr., fullback) was dynamic and dictated the pace of play. And as has been the case all season, the Acorns were like a wall defensively. Led by their middle three – Ricardo Valencia (Sr., stand-off), Tommy Sparling (Sr., center), and Victor Kalata (Jr., center) – Live Oak for the second game in a row, did not allow any runner to penetrate their try line. With the game clock winding down and the Acorns on attack and camped inside the Durabos 22 meter line, the outcome was becoming a forgone conclusion. As referee John Pohlman blue the final whistle, the Live Oak team had come of age, earning a well deserved victory and league championship – in only its third season. Also playing well in the victory were Mike Villalobos (Sr., scrumhalf), Anthony Guidry (Sr., wing), and Stephan Silveira (Sr., wing.)
“It feels pretty good to be in first place, after being like sixth last year,” said Erik “Chili” Cifuentes. “We played pretty good too. They’re (the Acorns) really good teammates, we do everything together.”
With the win, Live Oak (14-1, 7-0) enters the Nor Cal Tier 1 Playoffs on April 22, hosting the Luther Burbank Islanders of Sacramento at Live Oak High School. Game time will be announced later. Silicon Valley travels to Sacramento to take on Jesuit High School, the only team to defeat Live Oak this season in another opening round Tier 1 game.
“It was tighter than it should have been,” said Live Oak coach Bart Nielsen. “The effort was there. They played with their hearts .”
In the third place game, Aptos scored a try just before full time to take a 10-5 win over Peninsula Green. Both teams will participate in the Nor Cal Tier 2 Championships.
