The fourth time was the charm. After losing to perennial state power Pittsburg High School in each of the last three years, the Wildcats beat their nemesis in thrilling fashion, 28-27, on Friday night. Trailing 24-14 a minute into the fourth quarter, Los Gatos engineered one of its best comebacks in recent memory, capped by Jack Siri’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Shane Harmer with 24 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats (4-1) still had to convert the point-after try and knock down a Hail Mary pass in the end zone as time expired to seal the outcome. They did just that, setting off a wild celebration.
“This shows them a life lesson that if you keep persevering, keep fighting, good things will come of it,” Wildcats coach Mark Krail said on Get Sports Focus.
On the game-winning TD drive, Siri connected with Devonte Troutt, Kade Duebelbeis, Josh Pearman and Harmer for a number of clutch plays. However, it was a touchdown-saving tackle from Ben Booysen on the Pirates’ prior possession that put Los Gatos in a position to win in the first place. Ken Ward caught a pass in the flat and was racing down the left sideline with nothing but daylight ahead of him when Booysen took the right angle, dove and tripped Ward in the red zone.
The Pirates ended up settling for a short field goal to go up 27-21 with 2:24 left, giving Siri and the offense plenty of time to march down the field. Siri completed 13-of-22 passes for 140 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. Troutt was a workhorse, carrying the ball 21 times for 100 yards while adding 67 yards receiving.
In addition to scoring two TDs, Harmer put Los Gatos in good field position with a handful of long kickoff returns. The defense did a superb job in the second half, holding the Pirates at bay. Max Green had an interception and along with Booysen, Jack Curtis, Lane Newman, and Steven Poppe were the tackle leaders.
