The Arroyo Grande Eagles and the Palma Chieftains of
Salinas both entered tonight's game hoping to bounce back from losses a week
earlier. The Chieftains entered the game ranked 17th in the State
while the Eagles came in ranked 64th in So. Cal. The Chieftains lead by QB
Chad Bozzo took control of the game early going up 10-0 before the Eagles made
a comeback to tie the game up 10-10 at halftime. Chieftain RB
Barry Knappe put on a show with a 60 yard TD run to put his team up 17-10
early in the 3rd. The Chieftains never looked back as Justin Sammut
would add another touchdown to put the Chieftains up for good with the final
score of 24-13.
The Chieftains began the scoring drive after an Eagle
punt. A holding penalty and a 5 yard loss on a running play would move
the Chieftains back to start things out. QB Bozzo came out passing and
hit WR Michael Willrodt for 19 yards to the Eagle 46. Bozzo on the
keeper would run for 15 yards to the 31. RB Brendan Bartley would take
the next 2 handoffs and drive the Chieftains to the 8 yard line. After a
false start, Bozzo on the keeper again would go 8 yards to the 5. RB
Knappe took the handoff on the next play to the end zone and the Chieftains
took a 7-0 lead.
The 2nd Eagle possession of the night would end in a
punt. Kicker/Safety Tommy Pace took the snap as lineman Frank Smythe
would run through and get a hand on the kick and give the Chieftains good
field position at the Eagle 39. But the Chieftains would drive as far as
the Eagle 10 yard line and face a 4th and 6. Kicker Andrew Steinbach
came out and booted a 28 yard field goal to put the Chieftains up 10-0.
The Eagles finally got on the board after recovering a Chieftain
fumble at the 25 yard line. RB's Andrew Hirsch and Gibby Escobedo would
get the call and drive the Eagles down to the 6 yard line. A holding
penalty would move the Eagles back to the 17. The Eagles moved back up
to the 12 and settled for a 28 yard field goal from Joe Cozby to make the
score 10-3.
Next Eagle drive was a 6 play 45 yard drive with 4:01 to
go in the half. RB Stacey Cannon and Hirsch drove the Eagles 10 yards to
the 35. QB Kyle Pollack went to the air and found James Valez good for
16 yards to the 16 yard line. Next play Pollack hit WR DeAngelo Waller
for a 16 yard TD pass to tie up the game 10-10.
3rd Quarter opened up with the Chieftains taking the
kickoff. From the 35 RB Sammut went 5 yards to the 40. 2 plays
later RB Knappe took the handoff went to the sideline and bolted down the
field for a 60 yard touchdown to put the Chieftains up 17-10. The Eagles
came back with a 37 yard field goal from Cozby to make the score 17-13, but
that was as close as the Eagles would get.
With 4:42 left in the 3rd, the Chieftains used the
running game to grind out the clock. As the 4th Quarter began the Chieftains
again would be knocking on the door at the Eagle 16 yard line. A holding
penalty would move the Chieftains back to the 30. Then the Eagles would
get flagged for Passing Int. and the Chieftains would get a 1st down at
the 15. 2 plays later, Bozzo hit WR Greg Frichette for 11 yards to the 3.
3 plays later from the 1, Sammut would cap off the drive to put the Chieftains
up 24-13.
Game facts and Stats:
Eagle QB Kyle Pollack was back in the lineup this week and went 3-12 for 35
yards and a TD pass. RB Andrew Hirsch lead the Eagle rushers with 92 yards on
12 carries. WR DeAngelo Waller had one catch for 16 converted for a
touchdown. Kicker Joe Cozby added his footwork with field goals good
from 28 and 37 yards out. Total rushing 150 yards and 35 through
the air. Total yards amounted to 185 yards. The Eagles now
fall to 3-2 on the season and will rest up with a bye before beginning Pac-5
play with the Atascadero Greyhounds at home.
The Palma Chieftains ranked #17 in the Californiapreps
State Poll, improve to 2-1-1 on the season. QB Chad Bozzo went 8-14
passing for 87 yards. Favorite target for Bozzo was WR Michael Willrodt
who had 5 catches for 43 yards. Leading rusher for the Chieftains was
Barry Knappe with 76 yards on 6 carries including a 60 yarder for a touchdown.
Brandon Bartley followed up with 62 yards on 13 carries. Justin Sammut
had 40 on 8 carries and a touchdown. Bozzo added another 50 yards on 8
carries. Total yards for the Chieftains amounted to 321 yards with 234
on the ground and 87 through the air.