Gilroy
Beating Sobrato topped Christopher’s list of goals for the season. The Cougars can put a checkmark next to that.
Christopher (1-0) defeated Sobrato 36-6 for the first time in school history, Sept. 6 at Live Oak for the season opener. The Cougars led a balanced offensive attack racking up 274 yards in the game, 106 in the air off the arm of quarterback Sterling Montgomery. CHS senior running back Rayshon Mills led the team on the ground, picking up 73 yards on 11 carries. He also scored an 11-yard touchdown from Montgomery early in the first half.
“I liked that we were able to spread the ball around and we didn’t have just one person handling the ball,” Cougars coach Tim Pierleoni said. “I like the ability to give the ball to a lot of different people and that makes it really tough on the defense because now they’re not sure who we’re going to give the ball to on the run, who we’re going to throw the ball to. …The more we do that, the tougher it is for the defense to get a key on us and get our tendencies down.”
The Cougars’ own defense had a stellar showing, only allowing the Bulldogs (0-1) across midfield four times. Junior linebacker Jacob Moen did what he does best, getting 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the game. Christopher nearly had the shutout before Sobrato’s Nick Secolo hit JoJo Nunn for 31-yard pass as time expired.
The defense will need to up its game this week, however, as they take on the freight train from Live Oak, Trevor Bearden. The Acorns (1-0) senior running back had 476 yards on 30 carries with five touchdowns against Gilroy.
“We’re just going to go out there and play as hard as we can every single play,” Pierleoni said. “That’s a kid that, at any moment, can take it to the house. Any time he touches the ball he has a chance to score and we know that. …We’re just going to have 11 helmets to the ball on him and hope we can get him tackled before he gets going.”
Bearden said he wasn’t surprised after hearing Christopher beat Sobrato. The Live Oak standout said he knows the Cougars defense will put up a tougher fight, but he’s prepared to face them.
“I was expecting that Christopher would win (against Sobrato),” Bearden said. “I know Christopher is going to be a lot better than Gilroy.”
Kickoff for Friday’s contest between Christopher and Live Oak is slated for 7 p.m. at Live Oak.
Morgan Hill Times sports editor Cheeto Barrera contributed to this report.
Christopher Cougars
Jacob Moen, junior linebacker — 11 tackles, a sack and forced fumble against Sobrato in Week 1.
Live Oak Acorns
Trevor Bearden, senior running back — 476 yards on 30 carries, five touchdowns against Gilroy in Week 1.
