The Matadors had the home-field, the band and a few more fans. But the Eagles [4-0-1 (2-0)]had the win.

In yesterday’s Friday-night-lights game pitting Los Altos against Monta Vista High School, the Eagles came out the clear winners with a dominant 33-10 victory.

Senior Edwin Zuniga shone throughout the game, scoring four of the five Eagle touchdowns. He had three rushing scores and a 40-yard interception return for another. However, the entire team was strong as well on both sides of the ball in the blow out win.

However, at first Monta Vista got off to an aggressive start, solving the Eagle defensive scheme of 5 defensive line men and 2 linebackers. They moved the ball efficiently across the field in the first quarter. But the Eagles defense collected itself just in time, for with just inches until a Monta Vista touchdown, the LAHS defensive line stopped the Matadors just shy of scoring, ending the first quarter with no points for either side.

The game gathered intensity in the second quarter. Monta Vista took the first points of the game after a series of penalties on the Eagles and a MV 15-yard pass allowed a Matador field goal.

However, these three points would be the only Matador points for the next two quarters, as the Eagles promptly stopped all of Monta Vista’s momentum with successful offensive drives.

Junior Todd Grimm, the original second string quarterback who had been out the past two weeks with a concussion, took over for senior Martin Aycott at the QB position in the second, and Los Altos began driving down the field.

The Eagles scored the first touchdown of the game with 5 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter due to Edwin’s first rushing score, this one a 17-yard scamper.

But the Eagles weren’t done yet. After senior Abel Kinard recovered an MV fumble, Edwin capitalized with a 2-yard run, making the score 13-3 going into halftime.

The Eagles picked up in third quarter where they left off in second, but were even more successful. Perhaps building off of anger at a late horse collar that injured Senior Joey Giacomini after a kick off return, the Eagles began to steamroll the Matadors.

With 7 minutes left in the quarter, the Eagles were on the 5-yard line and on their 3rd down when Edwin broke through Matador defenses once again to score a touchdown. Combined with senior kicker Brett Serviss’ successful point after, this brought the score to 20-3.

Still not done for the quarter, the Eagles went on to score two more times before the fourth. After an interception by junior Bemi Onipedi, Todd scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown with 50 seconds left in the quarter.

The PAT was blocked, but the Eagles were back on the scoreboard minutes later thanks to the most brilliant play of the game.

Playing Safety, Edwin saved his best TD for last. With just 28 second remaining in the 3rd, Edwin intercepted a Matador pass and raced past the flustered Matadors offense for a 40-yard touchdown and a comfortable 30 point advantage, 33-3.

The Matador’s offense picked up in the final quarter of the game, but it was nowhere close to saving them from a loss. After a game that had been—for the most part—relatively solid, Eagle defense slipped up in the fourth quarter and allowed the Matadors score.

The Eagle offense was similarly lackluster this quarter, punting several times. It was far too late for the Matadors though, as the Eagles had done its job and easily secured the win.

The rushing offense finished with 27 carries for 182 yards, a majority of the work done by Edwin who carried 16 times for 67 yards. Senior linebacker Tyler Stout led the stifling defense with 13 tackles, including 7 solo.

The Eagles will look to continue their undefeated season against Cupertino next Saturday, October 16.