Prior to the season, Hayward coach Justin Redemer knew he could have a good defense. The Farmers returned seven players from last year’s defense, including two who earned all-league status in 2015. But not even Redemer could have predicted the opening night they would have against cross-town rival Tennyson.
After a four-year hiatus in the rivalry, Hayward and Tennyson met as members in opposite divisions of the West Alameda County Conference. The Farmers play in the Shoreline Division, which is generally known as the ‘B’ Division. The Lancers are in the Foothill Division, generally known as the ‘A’ Division. Tennyson, in fact, was coming off a season in which it finished second in the division and won its first playoff game.
None of that mattered on Friday night, as the Hayward defense proved not only impenetrable, but put up astounding numbers to open the season, winning 27-0. The Farmers pushed the Lancers backwards for 48 minutes, holding the Tennyson offense to minus-5 total yards of offense. The defense registered 10 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss.
Seniors Joseph Patterson and Josiah Suani totaled seven sacks on the defensive line, while sophomore Naphtali Moi Moi dominated the interior of the line. And when Tennyson tried to move the ball in other ways, the middle of the secondary punished receivers, and the outside linebackers and cornerbacks took away attempts at outside screen passes.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a defensive effort like that,” Redemer said. “These guys have been there in the off-season, lifting weights all year. We expected a battle after seeing Tennyson in their scrimmage, and we prepared well for this game.”
Redemer also gave a ton of credit to his new defensive coordinator, Asi Moa, who was last year’s head junior varsity coach.
“(Asi) is doing a great job, really putting our guys in a great scheme,” Redemer said. “I don’t think it was an aberration. We have a nice blend of size and speed, with a well-executed scheme.”
Despite the incredible totals, the coaching staff of course found room for improvement heading towards a date with Montgomery this Friday night. Montgomery beat Piner, 59-7, in its season opener, and played Hayward tough in a 12-7 Farmers’ victory last season.
“We allowed a couple open receivers behind our secondary, when our defensive backs got caught peeking in the backfield, so we need to fix that,” Redemer said. “And we really need to keep carrying forward the intensity and effort we displayed (against Tennyson). Our linebackers were flying around and making plays, and playing great defense really speeds the game up for us.”
Highlanders debut new weapons in big opening win
The talk surrounding Piedmont entering this year was whether the Highlanders would be able to replace the production of now-graduated Gabe Watson, the heart and soul of the team for the past three seasons from the running back position.
The offense eased those concerns, and then some, in an eye-opening 48-14 rout of perennial Division IV power Justin-Siena. New quarterback Gordon Faust made a huge impression in his Piedmont debut, after having to sit out last season. Faust threw for 315 yards and five touchdowns, including a 57-yard strike to Andrew Meredith, through the middle of the Braves’ defense on Piedmont’s second offensive play of the game.
Meredith, a three-year varsity player and team captain, made his own memories, scoring five times in the game. He had five catches for a school-record 224 yards and four touchdowns, and added an 86-yard kickoff return. Fellow senior Nick Pacult, a two-way standout, provided the offense on the ground, carrying the ball 12 times for 117 yards and a score.
The Piedmont defense made its impact felt as well. Pacult had 13 tackles and recovered a fumble, Jacob Watson had a pair of sacks, and Cole Kingston and Goyo Prospero each had an interception. They also limited Oregon State bound quarterback Aidan Willard to just 101 yards passing. As a team, the Highlanders outgained Justin-Siena 510-278.
“I’m really proud of our team, and especially our seniors and the way they set the tone for the entire team,” said Piedmont coach James Holan. “(Gordon) Faust, (Andrew) Meredith, and (Nick) Pacult are the best leaders and kids that a coach can ask for. It was a really fun night, with everyone going out there intent on making plays.”
Newark Memorial provides week one turnaround
2015 was not a year to remember for the Cougars, but 2016 might be different, if the first game is any indication, under second-year coach Brad Tubbs.
Newark Memorial’s only win on the field last season came against Mission San Jose, who no longer has a football program. Through the rest of the season, the Cougars never scored more than 14 points, and it took them until the fifth game last year to reach double-digits on the scoreboard.
Friday night, the Cougars played host to Novato. Leading just 14-12 entering the fourth quarter, the Cougars a pair of late touchdowns to pull away for a 28-12 victory. The defense, meanwhile, held Novato’s Ryan Burness to just 50 yards passing on seven completions with an interception, facing one of the section’s returning passing yardage leaders.
Newark looks to carry a little of that momentum into this Friday’s difficult road matchup at Granada before hosting Oakland the following week.
Successful debuts on the sideline
A number of new coaches enjoyed their first week at the helm, picking up thrilling victories for their respective programs.
Livermore’s Ryan Partridge guided the Cowboys past Kimball-Tracy, 14-13, while Arroyo’s Matt Hoefs watched his Dons celebrate a 37-35 win over American on Flaviano Soriano’s 27-yard field goal with two seconds remaining. This week, one of them will move to 2-0 while the other will pick up his first loss. The former assistant coaches, together on the Dougherty Valley staff, meet this Saturday afternoon.
Acalanes’ Floyd Burnsed saw his team dismantle Alhambra in his return to high school coaching, while Kennedy-Richmond coach George Jackson enjoyed a 31-6 win over Galt in his debut, and De Anza’s Tyree Reed saw his defense play well in a 32-0 win over Lower Lake.
Meanwhile, Terra Linda also enjoyed success in week one under new coach Rich Cotruvo. Cotruvo spent the last 19 seasons at Justin-Siena, where he guided the Braves to six section titles. He also earned his 200th win as a head football coach last year. On Saturday, his Trojans beat Richmond, 59-14.
El Cerrito honoring Milo this Friday
Inderkum-Sacramento visits El Cerrito this Friday, and will get to witness the dedication of the Gauchos’ stadium in the name of longtime coach and athletic director Frank Milo. Milo guided the El Cerrito program for 20 seasons, after spending the previous 17 years at Richmond High.
During his 20 seasons at El Cerrito, Milo compiled a record of 139-70-4, with eight league titles. One of those wins came during the 1989 regular season against De La Salle, the last time the Spartans have lost in the regular season to a Northern California opponent. His teams also reached three North Coast Section title games.
In 2010, Milo was inducted into the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame, a year after being inducted into the inaugural class of the El Cerrito Athletic Hall of Fame. He stepped from being head coach in 2001.
