By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
DANVILLE – A near decade of frustration came to an end Friday when California’s Green came up golden in a 24-21 win over San Ramon Valley.
Senior running back Leroy Green was the workhorse for the Grizzlies as he carried 34 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns to give California its first win over the Green and Gold of San Ramon Valley since 1999. Green went over 1,000 yards on the season in the win, putting him unofficially at 1,010 yards.
The win ended nine years of losses for a California team that came close to beating the Wolves the last two times they met, including a missed opportunity on a goal line stand in 2006 and a missed extra point in 2007. Coming into Friday’s game however, California was the clear underdog with a 3-3 overall record compared to San Ramon Valley’s perfect 6-0 mark.
“It’s been a rough couple of weeks, but things have been okay,” said California coach Tony Sanchez. “We’ve been close in a couple of games this year but never could make the play to get the win. Tonight we were able to make those plays.”
The key for California may have been the opening drive of the game. Although it only provided a 25-yard field goal by Ernie Collins, the Grizzlies’ 21-play drive consumed nine minutes, 20 seconds off the clock.
“That was a key for us because it kept their offense off the field,” said Sanchez. “We were able to move the clock and they didn’t get points early. I can tell you one thing, I’m glad I don’t have to play Joe Southwick again.”
Southwick is San Ramon Valley’s quarterback. Headed for Boise State next year, Southwick entered the game with 1,609 yards passing and 20 touchdowns. He even attracted attention from local quarterback guru Roger Theder, who watched the game from the corner of the end zone.
“I coached both of the quarterbacks in this game, so I wanted to see them play,” said Theder, who coached the Cal Bears in the early 1980s and has been a mentor to many of the quarterbacks throughout the Bay Area.
Southwick’s ability to drive his team down the field quickly was a constant threat throughout the first half, but California kept the ball away from Southwick while building a 10-0 lead on a 16-yard run by Green with 3:37 left in the half.
Southwick was able to rally the Wolves on their next possession, driving 70 yards on nine plays, all passes, to cut California’s lead to 10-7. Southwick connected with Bryce Peterson from 14 yards out for the touchdown with 1:19 left in the half.
That was just enough time, however, for California to extend its lead.
Starting at its own 44, California gained 16 yards on a pass by Bo Stompro to Nick Zwarg. Then, aside from a pair of incomplete passes, Green carried for gains of 22, 12 and finally 10 yards for the touchdown with 28 seconds left to put California up 17-7 at the break.
Southwick was able to lead San Ramon Valley to a touchdown just 57 seconds into the second half. The big play on the drive came on a 45-yard completion to Byron Gruendl. Cole Huntley scored on the next play from the 5 to make the score 17-14.
The two teams traded interceptions with Trevor Morrison intercepting Southwick at the 18 to lead to the second monster drive of the night for California.
This time the Grizzlies drove 82 yards on 15 plays that took seven minutes and 20 seconds off the clock. Green bulled over from the 3 with 5:35 left in the game to give California a 10-point advantage, 24-14.
Southwick quickly drove the Wolves down the field, covering 74 yards in just two minutes. Southwick passed 12 times on the drive, completing eight for 77 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bradley.
California was unable to run out the clock on its next series and had to punt, but a San Ramon Valley pass play ended in a fumble with Morrison recovering at the San Ramon Valley 33. The Grizzlies ran out the clock to collect the win.
Southwick finished with 282 yards passing while completing 24 of 39 passes with two scores.
The loss dropped San Ramon Valley to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the East Bay Athletic League. California events its EBAL record at 2-2 and puts its overall record at 4-3.