It was a warm and humid night for football at Sunnyside Stadium on September 11th, 2014. On an unparticular Thursday night, the Hoover Patriots hosted the 2-0 Memorial Panthers. Memorial is undefeated; winning their first two games thus far.
On a day of remembrance like September 11th, it was only fitting that one team had the word “memorial” in their name, and the other had the word “patriots” in theirs. The flag was at half-staff for this contest as Hoover honored the first responders of Fresno County by bringing them onto the field. The Patriots marching band performed their rendition of the star spangled banner before the kickoff.
Hoover, wearing the special camouflage jerseys received the ball to start the game. However, the first score of the game belonged to the Memorial Panthers when Stevan Johnson ran it in for a 31 yard touchdown, capping off a quick three play drive (7-0). After the teams exchanged three and outs, Hoover bounced back on a nicely ran trick play. Kaleo Acfalle connected with Receiver Dazohn Gilchrist on what appeared to be a wide receiver screen play. Just before Dazohn passes the line of scrimmage, he throws the ball down the field to a wide open Caleb Pleasant for the 78 yard touchdown pass (7-7). On the very next drive, Memorial regains the lead when Frank Dalena does a jump ball for the catch, then breaks a tackle to run it in for a 66 yard touchdown (14-7). Hoovers next drive was cut short when Kaleo Acfalle underthrows a pass attempt to running back Matt Arroyo, the pass was intercepted by Daniel Frea and returned for a 45 yard defensive touchdown (21-7). This ended a long, four-touchdown first quarter.
The second quarter was just as action packed. Joey Ruiz showed his quick speed when he received a (bubble) screen pass from Michael Alvarez that went for an untouched 21 yard touchdown pass (28-7). On the next drive, Stevan Johnson made something out of nothing when he also received a screen pass from Michael Alvarez. Just as it appeared he would be tackled after gaining five yards, S. Johnson reversed his angle down field and found an open lane to take the pass in for a 22 yard touchdown (35-7). Joey Ruiz once again showed his blazing speed as he received a short pass from Tanner Demera that he turned into an untouched 64 yard touchdown. The blocked extra point made the score (41-7). Hoover didn’t quit after giving up 34 unanswered points. Kaleo Acfalle runs a play action that memorial bit on, then throws a nice pass to the wide open Dazohn Gilchrist for a 33 yard touchdown pass. After the extra point was blocked the score was now (41-13).
The second half of the game was not as action packed, but did have entertaining defense. The third quarter was highlighted by Dazohn Gilchrist. He played very aggressive defense, and intercepted two passes (including one in the end zone) in this quarter. Stevan Johnson eventually got his third touchdown of the game when he bulldozed his was for an 11 yard touchdown run (48-13).
Memorial played their second string team in the fourth quarter. It was a very quick quarter as memorial juiced the clock by constantly running the ball. The only score of the quarter came when Hoover quarter back Kaleo Acfalle got sacked in the end zone for a memorial safety (50-13). The final score of this game was 50-13. Hoover drops to 0-3; Memorial’s win puts them at 3-0.
Although Hoover lost, there is still a bright side to this game. Running Back Matt Arroyo is the Patriots version of “Pocket Hercules”. He had great hip movement and strong running. His balance made him difficult to tackle. Dazohn Gilchrist plays both sides of the ball; he is a good impact cornerback who played well against memorials talented receiving core. Hoover quarterback Kaleo Acfalle’s cadence also caused memorial to commit four encroachment penalties. He was consistent with quick short slants, and has potential to get even better.
Memorial’s Stevan Johnson has scored 10 touchdowns in 3 games so far this season. He is a dominant back, who has speed and power. Memorials quarterback Michael Alvarez has good tuck and run ability; he is also able to deliver an accurate pass. His accuracy always gives the big receivers of memorial a chance to at least get a jump ball. Memorial has three big receivers in Chris Paz, Joey Ruiz, and Frank Dalena. These three cap off a well-rounded and powerful memorial offense. Memorial should make a big statement this year Fresno/Clovis high school football.
Game Notes
Hoover Patriots
Passing- Kaleo Acfalle: 11-28, 152 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions
Rushing- Matt Arroyo: 12 carries, 83 yards
Receiving- Alek Cintora: 5 receptions, 61 yards
Memorial Panthers
Passing- Michael Alvarez: 11-14, 202 yards, 3 TD’s and 1 interception
Rushing- Stevan Johnson: 13 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 receiving TD
Receiving- Joey Ruiz: 5 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD’s
Other Games
Edison 44, Merced 34 – Edison: Khai Williams 18 car, 88 yds, 1 TD
Clovis North 36, Buhach Colony 35 – Clovis North: Bolu Olorunfunmi 3 rushing TD’s + game winning 2 point conversion run.
Clovis 19, Atwater 7 – Clovis: Caleb Trace 11 car, 48 yds
Washington 48, Kingsburg 42 – Washington: Raniel Rogers 7 Rec, 139 yds, 3 TD’s
Farmersville 50, Woodlake 21 – Farmersville: Sam Metcalf 26-48, 481 yds
Fowler 10, Sierra 7 – Fowler: Thomas Valle 5 Rec, 44 yds
Coalinga 26, Kerman 24 – Coalinga: Orlando Hernandez 29 car, 115 yds, 2 TD’s
Selma 28, Shafter 0 – Selma: Paul Thomas 18 car, 149 yds, 2 TD’s
Caruthers 41, Tranquility 8 – Caruthers: Elijah Clark 11-15, 236 yds, 3 TD’s
Fresno Christian 45, Anzar 2 – Fresno Christian: Chris Kollenkark 10 car, 46 yds, 1 TD
Turlock 27, Clovis West 21 – Turlock: scores 27 un-answered points (20 in 4th)
Redwood 49, Tulare 35 – Redwood: Isiah Brito 3 Rec, 120 yds, 3 TD’s
Madera 42, Reedley 29 – Madera: Jesus Jimenez 25 car, 227 yds, 3 TD’s, 1 receiving TD
Sanger 37, Clovis East 34 – Sanger: Sawyer Pittman 11 car, 122 yds, 3 TD’s
Tulare Western 12, Golden West 7 – Tulare Western: Jordan Padilla 5 rec, 99 yds
Orestimba 33, Firebaugh 27 – Orestimba: Joe Sheldon 7 car, 75 yds
Exeter 41, McLane 20
Lemoore 21, Buchanan 3
Liberty (Madera Ranchos, CA) 38, Madera South 7
Central Valley Christian 52, Lindsay 6
Corcoran 43, Yosemite 6
South 30, Arvin 12
Liberty (Bakersfield, CA) 38, Central 14
Hanford 30, Dinuba 7
East 33, Mira Monte 6
Golden Valley 35, Highland 7
Frontier 58, Independence 50
Kennedy 48, McFarland 0
El Diamante 31, Monache 0
Sunnyside 53, Mt. Whitney 35
Orosi 12, Granite Hills 6
Orange Cove 35, Parlier 27
Sierra Pacific 41, Riverdale 6
North 44, Taft 33
Centennial 28, Tehachapi 3
Chavez 7, West 0
Wasco 49, Foothill 16
Kern Valley 30, Big Bear 6
Littlerock 24, California City 17
Desert 61, Frazier Mountain 14
Bishop 50, Mammoth 0
Vasquez 20, Rosamond 18
Grant (Sacramento, CA) 28, Bullard 14
Pacheco 51, Dos Palos 7
Garces 21, Burroughs 7
Hanford West 25, King City 7
Atascadero 34, Stockdale 31
Orcutt Academy 68, Alpaugh 0
Kings Christian 52, Coast Union 17
Cuyama Valley 28, Northwest Christian 20
Valley Christian Academy 44, Faith Christian 22
Mendota 14, Roosevelt 13
Strathmore 40, Laton 0
Mariposa County 38, Minarets 6
Immanuel 28, Chowchilla 20
(Scores, Stats, and State Rankings courtesy of Maxpreps.com, and The Fresno Bee)
Week 3 Featured game: Liberty Hawks (Madera Ranchos, CA) vs. Fowler Redcats
- Immanuel makes it look easy; Golden Eagles soar past the Grizzlies - February 14, 2015
- Immanuel and Fresno High unstoppable; Central making a late run. - February 4, 2015
- Central stuns Clovis West, Roosevelt stumbles but not out. - January 27, 2015
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