Watson, Archie each score pair of TDs
By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer
 photo by R. Alan Hwang/Special to the Town Crier Los Altos High’s Yousef Saadeh sacks Saratoga’s Matt Casas in Saturday’s game, which the Eagles won 31-21. Saadeh had two sacks in the game and was named Homecoming King at halftime. |
Saratoga made the big plays, but Los Altos High made more plays that mattered - enough for a 31-21 homecoming win in Saturday’s football game.
Saratoga’s touchdowns came on plays of 50-plus yards; Los Altos didn’t have a play exceed 20. The Eagles, however, put together long drive after long drive and dominated the second half.
While host Los Altos pushed ahead, rallying from a 14-7 halftime deficit, the Falcons went backward. The Eagles outgained them 181 yards to -5 - yes, minus 5 - in the second half.
“Saratoga’s defense must have been tired,” Los Altos coach Jeff Kalb said. “Our offense imposed on them all day.”
The Eagles totaled 361 yards, nearly half of them courtesy of halfback Jamar Watson. The senior rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, plus caught two passes for nine yards.
“He carried us on his back today offensively,” Kalb said. “He really wanted it.”
Watson was quick to point out that he didn’t do it alone.
“I give all respect to the offensive line and defense - not me. The defense was clutch, and the line is where it’s at,” he said. “We worked as a team.”
A team that overcame a rough start Saturday. Saratoga quieted the Los Altos crowd less than two minutes into the game when quarterback Kevin Sieczkarek scored on a tricky 52-yard keeper.
The Eagles responded with a long drive of their own, only it didn’t result in points. On fourth and goal from the 8-yard line, Saratoga snared scrambling quarterback Danny Young at the 4.
After blocking a field-goal try, the Eagles took over at the 20 and put together another lengthy drive. On the 13th play, Young zipped a 15-yard pass to DJ Archie in the back of the end zone. Kevin Serviss’ extra point tied the game with 6:48 left in the half.
Saratoga regained the lead a play later on Alex Lagemann’s 91-yard kickoff return.
Los Altos tied it up again early in the third after end Trevor Cape pounced on a Saratoga fumble at the visitor’s 26. Two plays later, Archie scored on a 10-yard run.
Saratoga had to punt from the end zone on its next series, giving the Eagles the ball at its 30. Serviss soon provided Los Altos its first lead, 17-14, by booting a 29-yard field goal.
Los Altos added to the advantage on its next possession, which spanned 12 plays and 85 yards. Watson capped it with a 10-yard burst, shedding two would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone. Serviss’ kick put the Eagles up 24-14 with 8:58 remaining.
Los Altos end Yousef Saadeh’s 12-yard sack stymied Saratoga’s next drive, which ended a play later on an incomplete pass.
Taking over at the Falcons’ 33, Los Altos needed only six plays to strike again. Untouched, Watson crossed the goal line on a 6-yard run to the right side.
Lagemann returned the ensuing kick-off 67 yards for a score, but Saratoga needed more than that to avoid its first loss of 2006.
Although this was the opening league game, Los Altos approached it like the season was on the line. A battle between two teams widely considered to be the best in the SCVAL El Camino Division, a loss would have practically eliminated the Eagles (4-1 overall) from contention.
“It’s the biggest win since I’ve been here,” Watson said. “It was like a championship game.”
Los Altos hosts Fremont at 3:15 p.m. Friday.
Streak ends for St. Francis
Robert Enquist scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 50 yards for the Lancers, now 0-2 in the West Catholic Athletic league.
St. Francis (3-2-1 overall) meets rival Bellarmine at 7 p.m. Friday at San Jose City College.
Spartans batter Bruins
The Spartans (4-1 overall) host Palo Alto at 3:15 p.m. Friday.
