Christopher High football head coach Tim Pierleoni said each and every game this season will be a learning experience. After last week’s defeat to Sobrato, Pierleoni had plenty of notes to sort through in preparation for tonight’s head to head with Live Oak High School.
“We had some question marks coming into the season and a bunch of those were answered,” Pierleoni said Thursday. “We addressed some personnel stuff that needed to be looked at. More than anything this week, we have been preparing our defense for a very good running back.”
That running back is Acorns’ 6-foot-1 205-pound junior Trevor Bearden, who rushed for 194 yards in three-and-a-half quarters against Gilroy High in Week 1.
The Cougars didn’t let last year’s Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Sophomore of the Year get churning in a 50-0 victory in 2011, and that will again be priority No. 1 for Christopher’s defense.
“They are definitely an improved team,” Pierleoni said. “There’s no doubt they are looking forward to playing us.”
The short series between the two programs stands at 1-1. Last year’s lopsided affair, however, is the one that is on repeat in the forefront of Live Oak players’ minds.
“The kids are hungry and looking to get a little revenge and win number two under their belts,” Live Oak head coach Mike Gemo said.
Live Oak’s defense held Gilroy High to 277 yards of offense. The Cougars totaled 477 in their 2011 win over the Acorns.
“The biggest deal for me is us getting better each week,” Pierleoni said. “And that’s the goal Friday.”
• Junior Sterling Montgomery recorded a school record 304 passing yards in Week 1. How’s that for a first varsity start?
“I was very pleased with some of the things that he did,” Pierleoni said. “That was neat to see him get that.”
• Last week’s leading receiver was Rayshon Mills, who grabbed six catches for 103 yards.
• The Cougars ran the ball just 10 times for 36 yards against Sobrato.
“They did a good job of bringing some heat inside,” Pierleoni said.
Asked if there were plans of increase in the rushing attack against Live Oak, Pierleoni said that depended on what the Acorns do on defense.
