DV Wins One and Loses One in Home Openers

The Dougherty Valley Wildcats won one and lost one in their first two home games of the 2014 season.

In their first game on Sept. 12, Sam Tarasow dashed 50 yards just 12 seconds into the fourth quarter for the Wildcats’ game-winning touchdown, defeating the Skyline Titans with a final score of 18-14.

Many DV students were decked out in pride wear to show their school spirit for the first home football game of the 2014 season. As 7:00 p.m. rolled around, the stadium quickly filled up and the student section (A.K.A. the 12th man) was roaring.

Skyline scored the first touchdown, but Dougherty quickly retaliated by running one into the end zone.  At half time, Skyline led Dougherty 14-6.

At the start of the second half, DV quickly ran in another touchdown, making the score 14-12. The energy from the DV crowd transferred to the players: as soon as the fourth quarter began, QB Calvin Montano threw the ball to receiver Tarasow, who ran the ball 50 yards all the way into the end zone for the final, game-winning touchdown for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats played hard defense for the rest of the quarter and Skyline was unable to score. As the clock ran down to zero, the Wildcats celebrated their 18-14 victory over the Skyline Titans.

However, on Friday, Sept. 26, although they fought hard, the DV Wildcats took a tough loss to the Las Lomas Knights in their first league game of the season.

Just as the game started, David Prendez ran the ball for a Wildcats touchdown, as Tommy Jew successfully kicked the extra point. The Wildcats led the Knights 7-0 just a minute into the game, before most fans were even seated.

But not long after, the Knights came right back and scored a touchdown and extra point, tying the game at 7-7.

As the Wildcats got the ball back, they set up their play but suffered a crucial fumble. The Knights quickly grabbed the ball off the ground and ran it in for yet another Las Lomas touchdown.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, the referee threw a flag on the play, so the touchdown was removed from the score.

Back in possession, Tarasow ran the ball for a first down. Just as things were starting to look promising, the Knights caught an interception and ran it in for a Knights touchdown, leading the Wildcats 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a tough one for DV. They played hard but unfortunately just could not score, in sharp contrast to the Knights’ 5 touchdowns. At halftime they led the Wildcats with a score of 42-7.

The Wildcats played excellent defense in the third quarter and only allowed 1 touchdown from the Knights.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Knights led the Wildcats 49-7. Las Lomas scored one last touchdown in the beginning, making the score 52-7.

Despite the score, the Wildcats never gave up. With just 12 seconds left in the game, senior Michael Pangelinan ran the ball in for a final Wildcat touchdown, finishing the game with a final score of 52-14.

Head Coach Tisa was proud of the effort his team put forth Friday night.

“The score is no reflection on the effort we gave on the field.  Whenever you turn the ball over five times to a good football team like Las Lomas it’s hard to overcome that.  When you are in league, you have to execute on each play which we didn’t do Friday night … We are ready for our next opponent,” he said.

The Wildcats now have a 2-2 record. They will take on the Acalanes Dons in their next home game on Oct. 17; tonight they play Campolindo away at 7 p.m.