SARATOGA, CA - The Saratoga Falcons went into the game Friday night confident they would win, only to have their dreams thwarted 33-7 by Willow Glen. However, Willow Glen had quite the opposite result, as this game was their 2014 debut.
Though the Falcons knew it would be tough, they were not prepared for the monster players from Willow Glen, like quarterback Josh Landers and running backs Hakeem Mays and Isaiah Sires-Wils.
Saratoga kicked off to start the game. Within the first four minutes, the Rams scored a touchdown.
Saratoga coach Tim Lugo said: “They have one formation that we hadn’t seen them run before, and that really caught us off guard.”
On its next possession, Saratoga could not push through to make 1st and 10, and the ball was turned over to Willow Glen.
After regaining possession, Willow Glen scored a touchdown with Mays tacking on the conversion.
“I think we really executed our game plan well, you know, get the ball to Isaiah, get the ball to Hakeem, stuff like that,” Landers said.
Another Saratoga punt led to the next score for Willow Glen, who scored a touchdown quite easily, courtesy of Landers. Willow Glen led 19-0 and was well on its way to victory.
However, despite this setback, Saratoga managed to push a little more in the third quarter. Through a series of unfortunate events, including two Willow Glen injuries and a Saratoga injury, Joey Medeiros scored a touchdown for the Falcons to make it 19-7.
Landers then threw for another TD, this one to Justin Perea, and the Willow Glen lead increased. That score was followed by another touchdown from Sire-Wils for the Rams.
Sire-Wils then added another TD for Willow Glen as the Rams began to turn the game into a rout, prompting emotions to boil over.
“You know I think we lost our composure, and I take full responsibility for that.” said Lugo.
Said Willow Glen's Landers: “It wasn’t pretty, but you know we still got it. There were a couple penalties that we definitely need to clean up, but for sure a great start to the season."
Saratoga next plays Friday at Sacred Heart Prep.
