By Craig Wentz

Town Crier Correspondent

The Foothill College football program has produced an impressive four-year run few community colleges in the state can match.

Last Saturday, the Owls again displayed their postseason magic in the fifth annual Kiwanis Silicon Valley Bowl at Foothill.

Foothill (8-3) captured its fourth-straight Silicon Valley Bowl crown with solid defense and an opportunistic offense, whipping the College of the Redwoods (Eureka), 16-0 .

“I give the kids a lot of credit,” said Marshall Sperbeck, who concluded his 10th season as the Owls’ head coach. “Our defense was exceptional. We did a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback.”

Redwoods (8-3), champions of the Mid-Empire Conference, came into the game averaging just more than 28 points and 420 yards per game, but was limited to just 128 yards of offense by the stingy Owls. It was Foothill’s second Silicon Valley Bowl shutout in three years.

Since 1998, the Owls have compiled a brilliant 36-9 record and finished ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation four times.

In a game influenced by steady rain and a whipping wind, Foothill took advantage of a pair of Redwoods turnovers in the first quarter and parlayed them into a 13-0 lead en route to victory.

Following a fumble recovery by Foothill defensive end Joe Mamula at Redwoods 25-yard line, the Owls capitalized with a four-play scoring drive. Sophomore quarterback Waye Terry connected with former Los Altos High standout Steven Holloway on a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving Foothill a 7-0 lead with 9:34 left in the opening quarter.

Moments later, Owls’ defensive end Joe Maningo recovered a Redwoods fumble at the Corsairs’ 28-yard line to set up Foothill’s second score - a4-yard run by Terry.

As the two school’s traded punts and turnovers in the mud, Foothill kicker Jeffrey Carr drilled a clutch 32-yard field goal with no time left in the first half for a 16-0 Owls’ advantage.

Maningo had an outstanding game and copped the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. Terry grabbed the Offensive MVP award.

Holloway finished the season as Foothill’s top ground gainer with more than 900 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Terry, a transfer from Rochester Community College (Minnesota), ended the year with more than 2,300 passing yards and 29 touchdown tosses.

Former Gunn High standout Kenny Coleman ended his Foothill career with 41 catches for 700 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns this season.

Foothill averaged 33 points and 440 yards per game this year, while limiting opponents to just 19 points and 250 yards per contest.

With 22 players returning and another talented group expected in next season, Sperbeck should have enough ammunition to earn another bowl berth and a spot among the nation’s top 20 teams.