GILROY – The Christopher High junior varsity football team hung
in the trenches against what head coach Tim Pierlioni qualified as
the Cougars’ toughest opponent of the season, Liberty Ranch.
The Cougars (2-3) went to the air for three touchdowns and built
a 26-6 halftime lead. However, the cushion evaporated in the second
half as the Cougars lost to the Hawks (4-0) 27-26 in the school’s
first homecoming game Friday night at Garcia-Elder Sports
Complex.
GILROY – The Christopher High junior varsity football team hung in the trenches against what head coach Tim Pierlioni qualified as the Cougars’ toughest opponent of the season, Liberty Ranch.
The Cougars (2-3) went to the air for three touchdowns and built a 26-6 halftime lead. However, the cushion evaporated in the second half as the Cougars lost to the Hawks (4-0) 27-26 in the school’s first homecoming game Friday night at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.
“They were excited about homecoming, they had a great time with it all week long,” Pierlioni said. “A lot of times it’s tough to focus during that week, but they were really focused.”
Sophomore quarterback Brandon Pickens hooked up with wide receiver Marcus Harrell for three touchdowns in the opening half.
Nic Slater also helped the Cougars’ cause with an interception return for a score.
“We played really well through the whole game,” Pierlioni said. “We did a pretty good job of holding down their best player in the first half, but they started wearing on us a bit. This team is extremely good.”
The Hawks’ stormed back literally from the opening kick of the second half, scoring after a bizarre return play, with a Hawk recovering a fumble in their end zone.
On its way to three wins of 30 points or more, Liberty Ranch had not had a single punt in its first three games of the season before the Cougars forced five Friday.
The Hawks eventually took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
“We had all the opportunity in the world to win the game,” Pierlioni said. “It just didn’t fall into place for us.”
