The Miramonte-Campolindo rivalry was renewed last week as the (3-3) Matadors entered Campolindo stadium for the first time in two years to face the (3-4) Cougars. The last two matches have been at Miramonte and Campolindo upset the Mats both times.
Miramonte was coming off a disappointing loss, in last week’s match up where the Matadors were favored against the underrated Dublin Gales. The Gaels ran all over the Mats defense and picked off Miramonte’s junior quarterback Brett Collins two times winning 28-17.
Miramonte captains meet before the big game.
Photo by Dennis Lee
Campolindo was also coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Alhambra Bulldogs 28-24. The Bulldogs who are now (6-1) led by running back Richard Calhoun who is averaging 8.23 yards per rush and has 14 rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
The Matadors came to prove themselves after having a very shaky start with an inexperienced junior quarterback averaging two interceptions a game and their running game getting smothered. They changed their game plan and benched their quarterback and surprised the Cougars along with the rest of the league with their own style of the wildcat. The Mats played physical football as they threw only three times for one completion and had running back Kevin Paulsen under center for most of the game with fullback John Coupin and wide receiver James King as running threats behind him. The Mats offense combined for 248 rushing yards with only three passes, with one completion and one interception.
The Mats got the ball early with the Cougars fumbling the ball on their own 20 on the second play of the game. The Mats then came out with their new defense and put the ball in the end zone right away. They then forced the Cougars to a three and out and took the ball down the field to make it 13-0 less then six minutes into the first quarter. Coupin scored both touchdowns with runs of 5 and 65 yards.
It was then a defensive game as the Cougars managed to stop the Mats for the rest of the half and Kevin Paulsen came out of the game with an injury. The Mats defense penetrated the Cougars offensive line and managed to stop fourth year starter and key player Tommy Stevens along with the run.
The half ended with the Mats up 13-0 surprising the Miramonte fans who were expecting a repeat of last week’s game against Dublin. The Mats players and fans were both fired up coming into the third quarter.
The Mats kept running their wildcat option with sophomore quarterback Ross Anderson under center to replace Paulsen and sophomore running back Kevin Booze to replace Coupin. Keeping up the momentum the Mats managed to run the score up to 30-0 in the fourth quarter with runs from Booze and Anderson along with a field goal. The Mats couldn’t keep the shutout as the Cougars finally managed to score with 1:19 left in the fourth.
The Miramonte fans charged the field when the clock hit zero and the rivalry series was won by the Mats for the first time in three years as they won 30-7.
The Matador’s homecoming is this week vs. another local rival, the Acalanes Dons. The Cougars will attempt to stop the run threat of the Dublin Gaels.
