SANTA CRUZ, CA - Normally when a team racks up 48 points, the focus is on the offense. But following a 48-27 win over host Santa Cruz Friday night.
The Cougars (6-1, 2-0 SCCAL) fell behind the Cardinals (4-3, 0-2) early, but after allowing 21 first-half points, clamped down in the second half and pulled away.
“The defense was key especially with how potent their offensive weapons are and given how they move the ball," San Lorenzo Valley coach Dave Poetzinger said.
Tied 21-21 late in the second quarter, San Lorenzo Valley broke the game open by scoring 27 unanswered points to take a 48-21 lead late in the game. The offense featured many weapons, led by senior quarterback Isaac Newberry, who threw four touchdown passes.
"We played great and it was an all-around good win," Newberry said.
Senior running back Nate Gentry contributed three total touchdowns on 104 combined rushing and receiving yards and junior running back Brighton Hart added 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Shaden Pias accounted for 136 receiving yards.
Senior tight end Jared Trader and junior wide receiver Davon Northcutt each caught touchdown passes from Newberry.
Despite the offensive fireworks, it was the defense that turned the game around for the Cougars. Senior defensive end Tommy Fitzgerald had a key interception late in the first half that swung the momentum to the Cougars. San Lorenzo Valley capitalized on the turnover to score a touchdown just before the half and take a 28-21 lead into the break.
Fitzgerald also had a key quarterback sack on fourth down, which was converted into yet another score by SLV.
"It feels great to contribute to the team and I am happy that everyone else contributed,” Fitzgerald said.
Junior nose guard Jake Hampton was disruptive and in the Santa Cruz offensive backfield all game and had several key tackles for losses, including three sacks.
Santa Cruz scored in the waning seconds of the game to provide the game's final margin, but the second half was dominated by SLV.
