It’s a good thing Los Gatos High School football coach Mark Krail scheduled some perennial powers in non-league competition because the Wildcats certainly aren’t getting much resistance from Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division opponents this season.
Los Gatos has steamrolled four division foes, with Menlo-Atherton being the latest casualty. In cruising to a 42-20 victory over the Bears on Oct. 31, the Wildcats (8-1 overall, 4-0 league) clinched at least a share of the league championship with one regular-season game remaining. Los Gatos can capture the title outright if it beats rival Wilcox on Nov. 6.
Jack Siri had another superb performance, completing 14-of-19 passes for 169 yards and three TDs. Devonte Troutt carried the ball 14 times for 93 yards and a score. In a 49-14 win over Menlo School the previous week, Troutt delivered the finest game of his burgeoning career. He rushed for a career-high 234 yards on 18 carries and six—count ’em, six—touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 94 yards, including a long TD reception.
Troutt’s seven TDs ranks right up there among the best single-game performances in program history. Shane Harmer was a multi-purpose threat, with 68 yards receiving and 168 yards on kickoff returns. Jackson Fitzpatrick led the way defensively with 10 tackles, including three for loss. Lane Newman and Ryan Gangemi each had an interception, while Nico Flores blocked a punt that TJ Lombardi scooped up and returned 75 yards for a TD to make it 14-0 with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
Troutt’s 25-yard TD run accounted for the team’s initial score, and Los Gatos would make it 21-0 when Siri connected with Harmer on a perfectly executed 47-yard play—a straight go route down the right sideline—to give the Wildcats a commanding lead. Midway through the third quarter, Siri scored on a well-designed naked bootleg, a three-yard TD run that had the M-A defense completely fooled.
To give an idea on how dominant the Wildcats have been in league play this season, the 42 points vs. M-A represented their fewest in four contests. They managed to put up 49 points each against Sacred Heart Prep, the King’s Academy and Menlo School.
Saratoga 26, Homestead 22
The Falcons continued to surge by dealing the Mustangs their only loss in Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division play. Saratoga improved to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in league play, and is in a tie for second with Gunn in the standings, just half a game back of Homestead (7-2, 5-1). Saratoga can earn a share of the league title with a win over MacDonald in the regular-season finale.
Falcons quarterback Anson Hulme completed 16-of-28 passes for 200 yards and added another 160 yards rushing, including two TDs. The teams were tied 7-7 after three quarters when the offensive fireworks started. After a Homestead score early in the fourth, Saratoga responded with Hulme’s 80-yard TD pass to Justice Andrews, who finished with six catches for 132 yards.
Hulme proved to be a playmaker defensively as well. He recovered a fumble on Homestead’s ensuing possession, then led the Falcons on a six-play, 65-yard drive, capped by his 11-yard run to make it 19-14.
For good measure, he also blocked a field goal. The Mustangs responded with a TD and two-point conversion, retaking the lead, 22-19 with 9:24 to go.
Hulme’s 40-yard TD run with 2 ½ minutes left accounted for the final margin. Andrews also was a force defensively, producing two interceptions. Motekiai Asikia had 12 tackles, Hulme 10 and Nick Wilhelm eight for Saratoga. Benji Zinman totaled four quarterback hurries, providing the push on the Saratoga defensive front.
Girls Volleyball
The Wildcats suffered a straight-sets loss to St. Francis on Halloween in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs. However, since each of the eight teams that qualify for the Open earn automatic berths into the CIF NorCal Tournament, their season is not over. Los Gatos was one of only two public schools—the other being fellow SCVAL De Anza Division member Palo Alto—to make the Open Division.
Los Gatos went 9-3 to finish second in the SCVAL De Anza Division, splitting the season series with league champion Palo Alto. It has been fairly consistent throughout, producing stellar results in tournaments and in league play. Some of the team’s top performers include Sienna McGrath, Caylin Thomas, Lulu Farwell, Stella Kanter, Olivia Reese Bill and Sadie Bins.
