Early this last week, Encinal's football team got the news that senior three-year varsity starter Jacob Tolbert was done playing football for the remainder of his high school career. Friday night, at Piedmont, the Jets played with emotion for their team leader, emerging with a hard-fought 28-21 victory over the Highlanders.
Tolbert, a diabetic who had undergone off-season shoulder surgery, had been monitored for heart arrhythmia detected at the time of his surgery, and returned to Stanford the previous week for a six-month check-up. The check-up revealed an enlarged heart, forcing Tolbert and the Encinal program to make the decision that he was done as a high school athlete.
"It was a very emotional week for us, after he revealed (he was done) to the team on Monday," said Encinal coach Ricky Rodriguez. "We were not about to risk anything, so he is transitioning to a coaching role. I think we put a little too much pressure on ourselves early in the game, trying to play for him. It was a fast-paced game, and we had to make some adjustments."
Playing without the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Tolbert, who was normally a force at defensive end, Encinal (5-0) gave up a quick scoring drive to start the game, as Piedmont drove 60 yards on its first possession of the game. On fourth-and-two from the Jets' 38-yard line, Piedmont quarterback Jacob Prager connected with senior Julian Turner out of the backfield on play-action for a 13-yard gain. One play later, Prager found Kamahn Smith on a swing pass, this time good for 19 yards, down to the Encinal six-yard line.
Two plays later, Smith finished the drive with a five-yard scamper into the end zone for an early 7-0 Highlander lead. Disaster then struck for the Jets on the ensuing kickoff, as the fumbled the ball, giving it back to Piedmont (3-2) on their 29-yard line. It took the Highlanders just one play to take advantage, as Prager scrambled to his right before finding Cole Kingston underneath the coverage. Kingston broke a tackle, then outran the secondary to the right pylon for a 14-0 Piedmont lead.
Encinal started the ensuing drive on its own 13-yard line, but promptly got back in the game with an 87-yard scoring drive, capped by a 26-yard play-action touchdown pass from senior Theori Oliver to his leaping younger brother, sophomore Teddy, who got a foot down in the back of the end zone. The drive was also highlighted by a big 36-yard run from senior Taj Banks, Jr.
"Teddy is starting to establish himself as one of the top sophomores in the section," Rodriguez said. "He's getting better every week."
Encinal drew within one point on its next possession, as Banks dashed 17 yards through a hole on the left side of the line. He would finish the game with 130 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while adding a team-high seven catches for 82 yards through the air. A missed extra-point left the Jets trailing 14-13. The end of the first half contained its own excitement, without any scoring.
Encinal attempted a short field goal with seconds remaining in the second quarter, but the kick drove into the defensive line and was blocked. Piedmont returned the ball to the Jets' 49-yard line, and on the final play of the half, Prager found Kingston down the field, but Banks came up with a huge touchdown-saving tackle at the five-yard line, keeping the deficit at one point headed to the locker room.
Piedmont drove to the Encinal 12-yard line on its first possession of the third quarter, but Prager's pass towards the end zone on fourth-and-seven fell just short of Kingston. The Jets then responded with a methodical 88-yard drive, and Banks finished things again, this time following junior guard Tommy Dinh into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. Encinal went up 21-14 when Theori Oliver, wearing Tolbert's number 18 jersey, found David Hamilton for the two-point conversion.
The Jets created a cushion, and a 14-point lead, when Banks scored for the third time, bouncing outside of the left tackle for an eight-yard scoring run and a 28-14 lead. The extra score became necessary when Prager hit junior Will Kalmbach for a 19-yard touchdown, just inside the front left pylon. With seconds remaining in the game, Piedmont attempted an onside kick, but Theori Oliver recovered to seal the win for Encinal.
Both teams are off next week before starting league play. Piedmont opens WACC-Foothill play at Bishop O'Dowd, while Encinal is the favorite in the WACC-Shoreline, opening at Mt. Eden on the same night. The Jets will also get a boost, as Alameda transfer Kenden Robinson will now get to play.
"Getting Kenden will be a huge boost for the rest of the season. He is a big-time playmaker at both receiver and cornerback," Rodriguez said. "At the same time, we know we are going to get everyone's best showing in league play."
