SAN JOSE, CA - As with most homecoming games, a larger-than normal crowd files in. The same was true in Pat Tillman Stadium Friday night. And host Leland delivered what the home fans wanted.
Just 55 seconds into the game, senior quarterback Kevin Cance faked the handoff then took it himself through the line, broke free, and went 35 yards for the first touchdown of the night, putting the Chargers up be seven points in an eventual 31-19 victory.
“We got off to a fast start, like we always do. It’s all the same stuff we’ve done all year long,” said Leland coach Jake Shaughnessy.
The turning point for Leland wasn’t this fast start, however, but the interception by junior Collin Petrow with about a minute left in the first quarter, which turned the game around for the Chargers and started their momentum.
That all-import "mo" carried into the second quarter after senior Chuck Culberson ran 62 yards for another Charger touchdown, making it 17-0 (after Cance’s 27 yard field goal minutes earlier).
Leigh sophomore quarterback Jared King was unfazed by Leland's quick start or homecoming festivities. He ran for two consecutive touchdowns, closing the gap to 17-13 at the end of the first half.
“Our defense really buckled down at the end of the first half, and with the onside kick and the couple touchdowns late in the half we really had some momentum,” said Leigh head coach Kyle Padia.
But those Leigh plays weren’t enough to contain the Chargers as Cance rushed for his second touchdown of the night then threw another to senior Skyler Hunter as the Chargers went up 31-13.
Once again, Leigh’s King emerged and fired an eight-yard pass to junior Cole Doty for another score. Unfortunately for Longhorn fans they couldn't muster much more offense and fell short, albeit after a nice effort.
However, Leigh has a lot of potential, despite its losing record. With a sophomore quarterback and about 15 players sidelined with injury, the Longhorns are still hanging in there.
“Everyone thinks a 1-5 team is 1-5 because they’re bad, but they face good opponents. Tonight they stepped up with so many players injured,” Shaughnessy said of Leigh.
Next Friday Leland has a scarier test, facing first-place Pioneer.
