CHRISTOPHER COUGARS
Record: 6-1 overall; 3-0 in Monterey Bay League-Pacific Division
Last week: The Cougars cruised past Alisal 41-2 on the road.
Next up: Christopher play at Pajaro Valley (2-5; 0-3) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Grizzlies lost 36-8 at North Monterey County in Week 8.
Coach Tim Pierleoni’s comment: “They’re (Pajaro Valley) a much better team this week and they keep getting better and better. We’re not a super team where no one can beat us—we can be beat any time by anybody. We’re working on trying to get ourselves right all the time. …We’re just trying to be as good as we can (Thursday) night.”
On offense: The Cougars have been on fire, outscoring opponents 217-84 so far this season. Much of that is thanks to junior QB Matt Adamkiewicz and Christopher’s O-line that allows him to find to find his receivers. Adamkiewicz had another stellar showing against Alisal, going 14 for 31 for 312 yards and four touchdowns in the air. He also had two carries for 77 yards and a score. Anthony Sammut led receivers with three catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Christopher has done a great job of limiting turnovers and penalties. The Cougars showed off their skills with the long ball, scoring TDs from 59, 68, and 74 yards out. If they repeat that this week, they will undoubtedly cause trouble for the Grizzlies.
On defense: Christopher has been equally as good on defense. The Cougars have created turnovers to help give their offense more opportunities. Bryant Huyhn and Jacob Moen proved to be a dastardly duo for Alisal last week. Huyhn had two interceptions—and almost a third, but it was called back—while Moen forced and recovered a fumble. The Grizzlies had trouble protecting the ball against NMC last week, fumbling three times—one of which resulted in a Condor score. Pajaro Valley is going to have to be very vigilant this week if it wants to keep the ball out of the Cougars’ paws. Pajaro Valley runs the option, so Pierleoni stressed the importance of his team playing assignment football—whether their player has the ball or not.
Keys to the game: Though Christopher has done a good job of limiting it’s penalties and turnovers to this point in the season, Pierleoni said it’s key his team continues to do so. “Penalties and turnovers can kill any team,” he said. “Even the best teams, that’s how they lose. We’re going to keep that down to a minimum and play as hard as we can.”
Gilroy is on a bye this week and will return to the field at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 to play at Pajaro Valley.
