The San Lorenzo Valley High and Scotts Valley High football teams played to a 17-17 tie Saturday, Oct. 24, at SLV, the first tie in the history of the valley rivalry. The all-time series between the teams is now 5-3-1, in favor of SLV.
Though overtime results don’t count in the win-loss record in SCCAL play, as per league rules, the teams played overtime to determine whether the Falcons or Cougars would have a potential tie-breaker. SLV won the extra period, 8-7.
The Cougars (2-1-1 in league) went into the game as the underdogs after falling to the Falcons (2-0-1) last season, 53-14. But this year’s contest was an evenly matched game, as the two teams matched scores all afternoon.
SLV’s Kyle Todd opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run, his 16th of the season.
The Falcons turned right around when quarterback Blake Jurich plunged in from the 1-yard line to even the score in the second quarter.
In the third period, SLV’s Alex Luera nailed a 31-yard field goal and Scotts Valley’s Stephen Doub buried a 23-yarder to tie the game at 10.
Then, midway through the fourth, Cougar quarterback Trevor Romele scored on a 2-yard keeper, putting the Cougars up 17-10 with seven minutes, 19 seconds remaining.
However, the Falcons were not through. Less than two minutes later, running back Jake Bergman scored from 17 yards out.
The Cougars held the Falcons’ prolific offense mostly in check, forcing three turnovers on the day. Falcons quarterback Blake Jurich was intercepted by Logan Kellogg and finished 7-for-15 for 90 yards and no touchdowns, his lowest yardage total of the season.
Cougars Robert Szakacs and Alex Luera recovered fumbles to thwart Scotts Valley drives, and Scotts Valley’s Ryan Estrada had an interception.
Todd finished the day with 180 yards rushing on 32 carries, and Bergman had 154 yards on 22 carries.
The Cougars will host Santa Cruz High at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The Cardinals are 1-2 in league after defeating a depleted Harbor team, 20-0, a week ago.
Santa Cruz has five running backs with more than 20 carries and is led by receiver Anthony Daoud, who has six touchdowns.
Photo by Paul Firenzi for the Press-Banner.
