NAPA, CA - Vintage’s annual Homecoming was ruined Friday night at Napa Memorial Stadium as Vanden brought its high-powered offense to town and came away with a 44-14 win.
The game was close in the first quarter until Vanden (2-3) surprised Vintage (2-3) with an onside kick, recovering the ball on the Crusher 39-yard line. The Vikings proceeded to reach the end zone when Stefan Koss hit Armon Bailey from 28 yards out. Koss finished with a new Vanden High record six touchdowns.
“It was nice to come out and get the ball in the air, cause the last few weeks have been kind of rough for us passing wise,” Koss said of breaking the school record.
Koss finished the night completing 13 of 16 passes for 235 yards.
“He’s been working very hard and it all came together for him today,” Vanden coach Sean Murphy said. “He was able to sit back with confidence and get the ball to our athletes.”
Vanden had a good rushing attack all night long as well. They were led by Jayden Key, who rushed six times for 87 yards with a long of 49. Also contributing was Maurice Brown Jr., who rushed 18 times for 66 yards. Leading the way receiving was Jemaurri Bailey who had five catches for 120 yards.
The Crushers got their first score at the 10:21 mark in the first quarter when Isaiah Garcia found Triston Shaumkel from nine yards out. Vintage’s other score came on a Garcia pass to Zach Geary from 21 yards out at 5:33 in the third quarter.
This was Vintage’s first game without Richie Harwick, its best offensive and defensive player. The Crushers rotated Garcia,Stephen Hill and Tony Olvera at quarterback all night. The Crushers are also without key players Connor Bates and Wyatt Irwin.
“Wyatt’s a big loss up front,” Vintage coach Dylan Leach said. “Those are three captains that are gone. That being said we’ve got to be able to step up, obviously Richie (Hardwick) was our offense and best defender.”
Both teams begin league play next week. Vanden opens its Solano County Athletic Conference schedule at Fairfield. Vintage begins Monticello Empire League play at Rodriguez-Fairfield.
