Ecker's two-point conversion in OT gives Eagles homecoming victory

By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer

A majority of the near-capacity crowd, a rarity for Los Altos High football, may have been at Saturday’s game more for the homecoming festivities and the unveiling of the new artificial turf field than the contest between two struggling teams.

But the football fans didn’t leave disappointed, especially those who stayed until the end.

Los Altos picked up its first victory of the year, beating Fremont 35-34 in double overtime.

The win couldn’t have come at a better time for the Eagles, who went to 1-1 in the SCVAL El Camino Division and 1-4-1 overall. The tie on their record came a week earlier in a non-league game vs. rival Mountain View; the SCVAL permits overtime only in divisional games.

The high school overtime system is offense-friendly, giving each team four downs to score from the other’s 10-yard line.

Los Altos and Fremont (1-2, 1-5) traded touchdowns in the first OT, with halfback Royce Hurd scoring from 10 yards out for the Eagles. After Fremont opened the second OT with another touchdown, Hurd countered by scoring on a 10-yard pass from Donnie Ecker.

This gave Los Altos coach Bob Sykes the option of kicking the extra point to force yet another extra period or going for two points and the win.

“He called a timeout and asked us what we wanted to do,” receiver Shawn Girouard said of his coach. “We all said, ‘Let’s go for it.”

Wise move. Ecker, on an audible, pushed the ball over the goal line.

“I knew he’d get it,” Sykes said. “Put the ball in his hands and he’ll make things happen.”

Ecker didn’t have his best day throwing (12-of-21, 105 yards), but he more than made up for it with his feet. The senior rushed for 92 yards, 65 coming on a fourth-quarter touchdown dash.

The only player to rush for more yards was Hurd. The shifty senior racked up 132 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard scoring run on the game’s second play.

“When we need something, we get it to Royce,” Girouard said. “He played great.”

Sykes agreed, also complimenting receiver James Nicholson (five catches, including a 35-yard TD) and linebacker Ryan Sherbino, whom he called “a real strong force for us on defense.”

The defense played an integral role in Los Altos’ success, turning in perhaps its best effort of the season.

“The coaches have simplified stuff on defense and it lets our athletic ability take over more,” said Girouard, who also plays defensive back. “We’re getting a lot more confidence.”

Fremont scored on its initial drive of the game, but the Eagles didn’t surrender another TD in the half. Defensive tackle Abe Tolliver ended a second-quarter drive by pouncing on a fumble at the Firebirds’ 32.

Los Altos failed to capitalize on the miscue, with Ecker throwing an interception two plays later. The first half was less than pretty for the offense; the Eagles scored just once and had two big plays wiped out by penalties.

In the end, it didn’t matter.

Los Altos faces Lynbrook Thursday at Cupertino High (7:30 p.m.).