In the opening game of the 2010 football season, the Los Altos Eagles demolished the Mills High School Vikings 57-7, running all over the Vikings’ home turf.
The Eagles scored five rushing touchdowns, and the running game carried the offense all day, taking the pressure off sophomore quarterback Steven McClean in his first varsity start.
On the very first play, senior running back Jason Lopez busted through a hole in Mills defense for a 60-yard run, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Two plays later, senior running back Edwin Zuniga ran untouched to the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Eagles’ defense was just as dominant as its offense. They forced a three and out from Mills’ offense on the Vikings’ first possession, setting up terrific field position for the Eagles’ offense, which the Eagles capitalized on with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Tyler Stout.
The Eagles’ passing attack was not non-existent, just not needed. However, on one of his only throws of the game, Steven lasered a 35-yard pass to a junior wide receiver Bemi Onipedi, who was wide open and ran for an 87-yard touchdown during the Eagles next possession. The Eagles literally raced all over the field to a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Mills attempted to regain composure at the end of the first and the beginning of the second quarters, when it had their two most successful drives of the game, but was stopped by the Eagles’ defense on fourth down twice in Eagles territory.
Instead of a Mills resurgence, the rest of the half was all Eagles, highlighted by back to back 12- and 6-yard touchdown runs by senior wide receiver Martin Aycott at the end of the quarter. The first half ended with the Eagles comfortably ahead 34-0.
The Eagles stretched the lead to 41 points after Jason, who also starts at middle linebacker, intercepted a Mills pass and returned it all the way for another touchdown. The Eagles committed their only blunder of the day on the next play, allowing a kick return for a touchdown, but dominated the rest of the game despite most of their starters resting. Steven only led one possession in the second half, and more and more starters began leaving the game as time went on.
However, the second stringers dominated anyway, even forcing a Mills safety when junior Chris Jimenez upended Mills’ running back in the end zone. Adding even more insult to injury, on the very next play junior Todd Grim raced 70 yards for a punt return touchdown, making the score 50-7 with 6:30 left in the third.
With 10 mintues left in the fourth, Edwin would score the fifth rushing touchdown, and final score of the game on a 30-yard scamper, weaving through the porous, tired Mills defense.
As if the win could be any better, the 57-7 drubbing even served as revenge for a 13-12 loss to Mills in last year’s season opener as well.
Zorica | Sep 13, 2010 at 9:38 am
Dear sports editor,
I thouroughly enjoyed reading your coverage of the Eagles football season debut.Write up, photos – Fabulous!
and the facebook link to individual players ” Magnifique”.
Way to go Eagles and way to go Michael!
Love
Mom
( maybe you can link this comment to your facebook – hopefully not too emabarassing – and really just a thought – just joking actually – but again really good AND SUPER JOB!