In my four months with the Dispatch, I have found that there is
rarely a moment to dwell on the past. Sure, there may be an
opportunity here and there to vent about something in a column but
for the most part, the pace at which everything occurs leaves
little time to appreciate certain aspects of the job.
In my four months with the Dispatch, I have found that there is rarely a moment to dwell on the past. Sure, there may be an opportunity here and there to vent about something in a column but for the most part, the pace at which everything occurs leaves little time to appreciate certain aspects of the job.
With 2009 coming to an end, it is the perfect time to look back at the top five local sports stories spanning the months that I have occupied the sports desk.
Although, it covers just one third of the year, the fall prep sports season provided for some great storylines. With Christopher High’s last-second loss to Scotts Valley in its inaugural game as a football program to the first-ever appearance of a Gilroy High girls water polo team in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
The moments could fill an entire newspaper, let alone a four-page section. That’s the beauty of local sports, everything matters and everything has an importance.
The biggest local pro story out of this area happened a few weeks before I arrived. Gilroy’s most known athletic figure, Jeff Garcia, signed with the Oakland Raiders, making a return to the Bay Area.
His stay didn’t last long as reported friction between he and the organization resulted in Garcia’s release, and/or his request to be dismissed depending on who is asked.
It is unclear what 2010 will bring for the 11-year NFL veteran, as he as been out of the public eye ever since a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in September. One thing is for certain, this city his hoping he has some more playing time in him. I missed the chance to cover Garcia this season, but I hope that changes next year.
However, since I have spent an uncountable amount of hours with the local prep teams over the past four months, I have had the opportunity to watch teams grow and struggle and win and lose.
A handful of moments, games and teams stood out to me as I roamed the sidelines, hunkered down in the corner of the bleachers and checked my e-mail 400 times per day.
Over the Christmas holiday I was able to step back and reminisce. And, man, there were some great things that happened over the past 120 or so days.
No. 5: GHS field hockey’s 20-1 season.
Even though the Gilroy High field hockey team’s season ended on a cool, rainy night in the semifinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs, the impact of the team’s season in 2009 and of seasons past, catapulted the Mustangs’ program into the elite Mount Hamilton Athletic League, beginning next season.
On its way to a 20-1 record this year, Gilroy ransacked the would-be opponents in the Mission Trail Athletic League en route to a ninth straight league championship.
Often routing teams by six goals or more, the Mustangs also proved during the season that they could hang with the area’s perennial powerhouses, defeating both Mitty and St. Francis – two teams who are now league foes.
The Mustangs, and coaches Adam and Erin Gemar, continue to feed players to the Division I college ranks.
With senior Elise Ogle accepting a scholarship to play for Stanford next fall, the Mustangs now have at least one former player at all four of the Division I schools in California that offer field hockey, Pacific, Stanford, UC Davis and Cal.
No. 4: Anchorpoint Christian’s
undefeated season
With less than 50 students on its campus the remarkable success the Anchorpoint Christian football team has had in its three years as a program under the guidance of head coach KC Adams is certainly noteworthy.
This season, the Warriors increased the toughness of their schedule and still managed an undefeated run (9-0-1) to a league title.
Their season, which hit a snag off the field with the theft of much of their football equipment, earned them a No. 4 national ranking in Division II 8-man football.
With the support and donations of the other 8-man teams in the area and the football programs here in Gilroy, the Warriors never missed a beat and defeated Crystal Springs Uplands 66-22 in the second-to-last game of the season, which essentially clinched the league crown.
With Adams at the helm, the Warriors have the potential to be at the top for a very long time.
No. 3: The rise of Gavilan College’s
women’s volleyball team
Arguably one of the more feel-good stories of the year came out of Gavilan College.
The Lady Rams volleyball team set school records and gained a following through a program-defining season and one of the most successful to date in school history.
The program was re-instated five years ago and three seasons ago head coach Kevin Kramer took over and the resurgence of the Rams began.
After two straight seasons of finishing third in the Coast Conference – one spot out of the playoffs – the Lady Rams dominated conference play in 2009 to the tune of a 7-1 record and a conference championship, earning them a home match in the NorCal playoffs. They removed two proverbial monkeys from their collective backs, knocking off rivals Cabrillo College (once) and West Valley College (twice).
In the midst of their season the Lady Rams put together a streak of nine consecutive match victories in which they won 27 of 28 sets.
No. 2: A crosstown rivalry is born
There had never been more hype for a freshman football game than what swirled around the campuses of Christopher High and Gilroy High leading up to the first-ever matchup between the two schools on the football field. And rightly so; this was a big deal, the start of a new tradition and the beginning of a new era.
The buzz in the stands at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex on that temperate October evening started at kick off and gained momentum as the game continued. The deeper into the contest, the louder the cheers became and it was clear that the game was most certainly setting the tone for years of battles between the two schools.
The freshman that played in the game will forever look back and know that they were the first and, for all intensive purposes, paved the way for the rivalry down the line.
CHS won the game 19-6, pulling away with two second-half touchdowns.
The two teams will square off at the varsity level in Week 10 next season. I’m assuming the anticipation for that match up will begin long before then.
No. 1: Improbable Prune Bowl
3-peat
Walking the sidelines of Andy Hardin Stadium in Hollister on Nov. 13, the intensity was intoxicating even before the whistle had blown for the 53rd annual Prune Bowl between GHS and San Benito.
Both teams wanted it. Both teams needed it. Only one could have it. adding to the playoff-like atmosphere was the teeth-chattering chill that took over as the game progressed into the night. No matter the outcome the whole atmosphere was perfect for a big game.
As a reporter, when in a press box, you are warned never to cheer – it is a very big no no. That night, though, I couldn’t help but crack a smile as the two squads exchanged hit for hit and score for score.
Gilroy senior Jordan Holler electrified the GHS faithful with two kick off returns for touchdowns and a 37-yard scoring reception as the underdog Mustangs took a 27-17 third-quarter lead.
The drama was only just beginning. The Balers stormed all the way back and took a 30-27 lead in the final period, setting up one heck of a finish. A Nick Marra to Thomas Harrington connection in the waning minutes of the ball game gave the Mustangs the win.
My first taste of the Prune Bowl may never be topped, but it sure did set up quite a 54th annual showdown.
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These exciting last few months only confirms that this is the place to be for high-quality local sports.
There are quite a few things to look forward to as 2010 rolls around. The CHS varsity wrestling team continues its season in the MBL with just freshmen and sophomores on its roster. Both GHS basketball teams are off to hot starts and as league play approaches, each will look to build toward the postseason. The GHS wrestling team has its sights set on an eighth CCS championship, and so much more.
It is great to be a sports writer.
Happy New Year everyone and thank you for continuing to read the Sports section.
