November 16, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Evergreen closes league season with loss to Leland

By Daniel Miranda
Sports Coordinator

The Leland High School football team finished the season last Friday with a 20-6 victory over league rival Evergreen Valley. The Chargers finished in second place behind Del Mar in the Santa Teresa league with a league record of 5-2.
Leland junior Michael Santini played like he was sending a message to the league that just because seniors Ricky Battipede, Kevin Krail, Josh Carroll and Nate Jones were leaving, the team will not be a pushover. Santini had only 2 yards on offense but he excelled on special teams and defense.

Leland's quarterback Ricky Battipede runs for a first down during their game on Friday night Nov 9 at Evergreen High School in San Jose. Photo by Ben DeKoven

He had 15 solo tackles and assisted on five others and had one interception on defense. On special teams he put the game away by returning a 95-yard kickoff for a touchdown. “I saw everyone shift over and I saw daylight so I started running for it weaving in and out,” Santini said.

With Evergreen keyed on Krail who finished the game with only 32 rushing yards, Leland turned to the air. In the second quarter, the Chargers broke a scoreless tie when Battipede hit Jones for 23-yard touchdown. In the third quarter the duo teamed up again with Jones making a spectator catch in the end zone to put the Chargers ahead by two touchdowns. “

Jones had one of the finest catches I’ve seen in a long time,” said Leland head coach Mike Carrozzo.

The first quarter was a defensive struggle between the two teams with each bending but not breaking. Evergreen’s Eddie Ray Apontes set the Cougars in scoring position by returning the opening kickoff to the Chargers’ 25-yard line. But quarterback Rudy Zapien threw four incompletions and Evergreen had to turn the ball over to the Chargers.

Leland tried to establish the running game but the Cougars were able to corral Krail, Leland’s leading rusher. Luckily the Chargers running game does not rely entirely on Krail. Battipede just handed the ball for Josh Carroll who picked up 12 yards and a first down for Leland.

On fourth and six, punter Nate Jones threw the ball to wide open tight end Tyler Beigibing for a first down and a gain of 24 yards. The drive eventually stalled on fourth and two as Krail was stopped short of the first down. Evergreen took over on downs.

But the Cougars running game did not fair much better, gaining only 54 yards on a series of runs featuring Louis Aranda Evergreen punted giving the ball back to the Chargers.

Leland was still unable to get the running game on track so on fourth and 4 they punted the ball back to the Cougars. Evergreen was unable to mount s scoring drive as well so they punted the ball back to the Chargers.

Leland sent Krail back to return the punt but he fumbled and was able to recover it. With the running chores now switching between Krail and Carroll, the Chargers started to move the ball. Bettipede also used his legs to pick up 12 yards and a very important first down putting the ball on the 45-yard line of the Cougars.

On second and eight Bettipede threw the ball and hit receiver Jones for 22-yard pick up and another first down. The two hooked again on the very next play only this time for a touchdown that Jones caught in the back of the end zone with 3 minutes left in the first half. The Chargers led 7-0.

Leland's receiver Nate Jones catches a touchdown pass from Ricky Battipede in the back of the end zone over Evergreen's Andre Ceja during their game on Friday night Nov. 9 at Evergreen High School. Jones finished the season with 517-yards. Photo by Jeff La Plante. Photo by Ben DeKoven

On the last possession before the half, the Cougars worked the ball down to the Chargers’ 5-yard line but the Chargers run defense was just too much for the Cougars to contend with--especially after a procedure penalty pushed the ball back to the 9-yard line. On fourth down and goal, Evergreen’s place kicker Aranda missed the 26-yard field goal. The Chargers went into half time with a 7-0 lead.

Leland started the third quarter receiving the ball on its 35-yard line and managed to work the ball to the Cougar 25 on a series of runs. On second and 10 Battipede rolled out of the pocket and found Jones in the end zone for the Chargers’ second touchdown, giving Leland a 14-0 lead with 8:37 in the third quarter. “I have gotten better at going up for the ball,” said Jones.

The Cougars scored early in the fourth quarter as Evergreen running back Andrew Dennis ran the ball for 24 yards, putting the ball inside the 10-yard line and setting up a first and goal. With their backs against the wall the Leland defense was able to hold them to third and goal at the 1-yard line. Aranda punched it in from there, but missed extra point. The score cut Leland’s lead to 14-6.

Any hopes the Cougars had about a comeback were dashed on the next play as Santini ran the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown with 8:54 left to play. The Chargers now led 20-6.

On the Cougars’ next possession, Leland’s defensive lineman Alex Nunes was able to break though the line and tackle Zapien for a sack. The sack set up fourth and 11 that convinced the Cougars to punt. Leland had the ball but again was unable to sustain the drive and to run out the clock, so they punted.

The Cougars did not fair well on their series either as it ended with Santini intercepting the ball. Zapien, who was looking for receiver Andre Ceja, found Leland defender instead. The Chargers ran out the clock by picking up their last first down on a 9-yard run by Carroll.

Leland won the game 20-6

Krail was the leading rusher of the season for Leland with 982-yards while Jones led in receiving yards with 517-yards. Santini led the Leland defense with 85 solo tackles and 52 assists for the season.

San Jose Strikkers 18u – 2008 Summer Tryouts
The San Jose Strikkers 18u will be holding their 2008 summer tryouts on the dates listed below.  Just in case you have not heard we have already qualified for the 2008 ASA Nationals in Moline, Ill.!  Our main objective is to develop softball excellence and to assist each young lady in the achieving their goals on the softball field and assist them with their dreams of obtaining college scholarships.  Come and be part of our exciting team!  To learn more about our team philosophy and goals please visit our website. http://eteamz.active.com/sanjosestrikkers18u/.

Dates;  Sundays, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, and (if needed) 1/6/08

Place:  Oak Grove High School

Times:  9 a.m. Pitchers & Catchers / 10:30 a.m. Position Players

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Fangonilo (408) 439-7383 or Frank King (408) 406-8191.
E-mail:  Richard Fangonilo rfangonilo@sjm.com  or Frank King fgking25@aol.com.

2007 Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K run/walk and 10K run
This annual event scheduled for Nov. 22, is appropriate for all ages - kid fun run, too! Event proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, and the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Confluence Meadow, Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose. For more information, visit http://www.svlg.net/events/TurkeyTrot2007.

Third Annual Silicon Valley E-Race Racism Run
The 3rd Annual Silicon Valley E-Race Racism 5K & 10K Run and 1-Mile Walk, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Lake Cunningham Park, in San Jose. This event will benefit youth leadership programs provided by the NAACP chapter of San Jose / Silicon Valley and promote healthy lifestyles and exercise.

All registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, refreshments, and more. Awards will be given in the 5K and 10K events, three-deep to the finishers in each male and female age category in 10-year increments. Special trophies will go to overall male and female finishers and male and female Masters (over 40-years old) winners. The 1-Mile walk is not timed, it’s designed to enjoy.

Entry fees for all three events with the E-Race Racism Run are $25 pre-registered, $30 race-day registration, and $20 pre-registered for participants under 17, or senior citizens (65-years and older), $25 day of registration. Families of four are $75 plus $15 for each additional member ($100 / $20 day of).

For more E-Race Racism 5K Run & Walk information and/or an application, visit their Web site at www.onyourmarkevents.com. For information about the NAACP Chapter of San Jose / Silicon Valley, visit www.sanjosenaacp.org.

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