Live Oak Acorns in town to kickoff
Head coach Steven Lo said it’s an understatement to say that the start of the 2011 football season has been a long time coming.
“To say the least,” Lo said. “We’ve been working and grinding for so long. Now it’s time to put it into motion and see if it has paid off.”
The speculation can finally cease. Wait no longer, opening day is here. And what a way to get it started.
For the third straight season following a three-year hiatus, the Mustangs face longtime rival Live Oak at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex tonight at 7:30.
The Mustangs defeated the Acorns in the previous two encounters – 36-13 in 2009 and 35-30 last season.
Both programs are under first-year coaches, the aforementioned Lo and Mike Gemo at Live Oak.
“He’s been around a lot of quality programs,” Lo said. “I’m sure they will be well coached.”
Despite graduating five seniors from its skill positions, Live Oak is well-versed in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
“They have a good, young running back,” Lo said. “The have a lot of strength on the offensive and defensive lines and they have some big linebackers.”
That young running back is 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore Trevor Bearden, a sizeable ball carrier who is expected to shoulder the bulk of the rushing responsibilities this season.
Leading the way for Bearden is an experienced group up front, anchored by 6-foot-3, 295-pound center Dominic Holmes. The Acorns will go with first-year signal caller, junior Taylor Turnipseed.
The Mustangs, meanwhile, have their first opportunity to showcase an offense with potential to put up big points behind quarterback Niko Fortino, a bevy of speedy wideouts and a game-changer in Brandon Boyd at running back.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Gemo said. “They’ve got a lot of speed, and they spread you out.”
Defense, though, may be the deciding factor.
n The junior varsity football team will take on Live Oak at 5 p.m.
