It is no secret that the Live Oak varsity football team
struggled last year. Part of it was injuries and part was miscues.
Going 0-9-1 is never fun, but this year the Acorns should be able
to turn it around.
It is no secret that the Live Oak varsity football team struggled last year. Part of it was injuries and part was miscues. Going 0-9-1 is never fun, but this year the Acorns should be able to turn it around.
The Acorns have had a couple down years, but this may be the year for Live Oak to make progress toward returning to where it was in the ’80s – on top of the league.
The last time the Acorns made the playoffs was when they lost 49-6 in the first round of the 2000 Division 1 playoffs to the No. 1 ranked Oak Grove.
Last year’s team wasn’t too far away from being at least a .500 team. Football is a game of breaks while catching and riding the wave. Last year, Live Oak was in most of its games. They could have swung the other way with a little more luck.
Milpitas 31, Live Oak 7
Live Oak started off its season against the always tough Milpitas. Even a home game was not enough to help the Acorns. Live Oak has a recent history of playing top ranked teams to start the season after playing Arch Bishop Mitty the previous two years. The Acorns scored their only goal two minutes left in the game on a rushing touchdown.
Live Oak 35, Oak Grove 21
Live Oak played a much better second game against another tough opponent at Oak Grove High School. The Acorns scored two quick touchdowns in the game, but six turnovers helped Oak Grove get back in the game. A rushing touchdown capped off the scoring for Live Oak in the final minutes.
Seaside 26, Live Oak 21
Seaside used a come-from-behind effort and two second-half touchdowns to defeat Live Oak. Live Oak held a 21-20 lead in the third quarter after a missed point after. They avoided trouble once after recorvering a goal line fumble, but were unable to score. Seaside picked off the ball and then put the nail in the coffin with a touchdown with 3:29 to play. The Acorns had several big yardage plays but weren’t able to get in the end zone on the final drive.
Live Oak 20, North County 20
Live Oak appeared to have scored the game winning pass with 1:30 left to go, the receiver’s 43-yard catch was negated because he was ruled to have pushed off. The Acorns gave up three first-half turnovers but were down only 12-7 at the half. But Live Oak scored on its first two possessions after the half and almost scored on the third. North County tied the score with a touchdown with 9:40 left and then a two-point conversion.
Alisal 21, Live Oak 20
A two-point conversion that Live Oak knew was coming sealed the win in Salinas for the Trojans. With a couple injuried players, Live Oak was forced to pass more. And in the next couple games, it got worse as several key players went down with injuries forcing Live Oak into a makeshift offense. The Acorns, who started their final drive on their own 27-yard line, had what would have been a game winning pass picked off in the end zone.
Hollister 28, Live Oak 14
Live Oak hoped that the Tri-County Athletic League opener in Hollister would bring better luck. But it didn’t even with Hollister’s talented third string quarterback. The Acorns gave up two quick touchdowns but stayed in the game until the end after being down 21-6 at the half.
North Salinas 35, Live Oak 7
As the injuries continued to mount for Live Oak, Steve Conner moved to quarterback to give the Acorns a few more options.
But North Salinas still spoiled Live Oak’s home coming game.
The speedy Salinas running back Ronnie Drummer ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns before being rushed to the hospital with breathing difficulties.
Salinas 35, Live Oak 0
Live Oak was a shutout in their worst loss of the year to Salinas, who lost in the CCS Division 1 championship game to Bellarmine. Live Oak did have an 85-yard kickoff return called back and missed a 27-yard field goal.
Palma 20, Live Oak 0
For the second week in a row, Live Oak was blanked by a league powerhouse. There was not much green grass left on the Live Oak field after heavy rains turned it into a mud pool. Both teams were forced to be more conservative in their game play.
Gilroy 28, Live Oak 18
Live Oak was unable to salvage a win in the final game of the season at Gilroy, who pulled out all the stops with nothing to lose.
From fake punts to on-side kicks to hook-and-ladders to double passes, the Mustangs did it all. Orin Catrett found Daniel Salinas on a screen pass for a 69-yard touchdown to get within 14-12 before the half.
Steve Conner caught a five-yard pass for the second score.
