Football: Clever Alemany takes 17-14 halftime lead
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Some brilliant clock management by Alemany Coach Dean Herrington helped set up Martin Meza’s 47-yard field goal as time expired in the first half that gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead over host Oaks Christian.
The Lions had taken over at their own 20-yard line with 1 minute 3 seconds left in the half, but after a couple of plays in which they failed to move the ball, Herrington signaled for timeouts. Oaks Christian then had to punt the ball, advancing it only seven yards on the kick and giving the ball to Alemany on the Lions’ 36-yard line with six seconds remaining.
Vernon Adams completed a quick pass to Major Armstead for six yards to set up the kick for Meza, who had missed a 48-yard attempt earlier in the quarter.
Both teams’ quarterbacks are having big games. Adams has completed nine of 13 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown and has run for 30 yards and another touchdown in 11 carries.
Oaks Christian’s Trevor Gretzky completed all four of his passes for 66 yards and gained 45 yards rushing in six carries. The Lions sorely miss the departed Malcolm Jones, with tailback Ishmael Adams able to muster a respectable but less-than-imposing 32 yards in six carries.
Cole Brownell gave Oaks Christian’s special teams a boost, returning a punt 47 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter.
--Ben Bolch