LAFAYETTE — Josh Elerts just isn’t a working again. Previous to Friday, he by no means performed the place in his life. For Acalanes, he was, in essence, the emergency working again for the emergency working again.
By halftime towards Miramonte, Acalanes’ teaching employees wanted their emergency working again for his or her emergency working again. An damage decimated an already skinny group; Elerts, regardless of having by no means taken a handoff in an actual recreation, was elevated to first string. Given how Miramonte was enjoying, Acalanes wanted Elerts to offer a floor presence.
Present, Elerts did. In his lifetime debut at working again, Elerts totaled two dashing touchdowns and 81 dashing yards on 14 makes an attempt — all within the second half — as Acalanes narrowly defeated Miramonte, 35-28. Not a foul exhibiting within the slightest for somebody who entered the day with a very clean working again resumé.
Acalanes quarterback Tyler Winkles (6) appears to move towards Miramonte within the third quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
“I gotta thank the line,” Elerts mentioned. “If the line didn’t open up those giant gaps for me, I don’t think I would’ve been able to score those touchdowns.”
Alternatives for extra touchdowns will seemingly be in retailer for Elerts subsequent week towards Clayton Valley Constitution. When requested about Elerts’ potential function going ahead, Acalanes head coach Floyd Burnsed mentioned that Elerts will “probably be at tailback.”
It’s an unlikely promotion that Acalanes’ teaching employees couldn’t have pictured at the start of the season, however one which’s needed given the standing of their starters.
Senior Austin Wampler and junior Deonte Littlejohn, the Dons’ beginning working again tandem, have every missed the final two video games on account of damage. Senior Tyler Kim started the sport because the Dons’ beginning working backs, dashing for 71 yards and a landing, however solely performed one full possession within the second half earlier than succumbing to cramps.
If Elerts, certainly, must spend extra time at working again, then this breakout efficiency offers him with a basis upon which he can construct.
“It definitely gives me a lot of confidence,” Elerts mentioned of his efficiency. “I’m very much looking forward to upcoming games, especially these league games against Campolindo. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll bring.”
Whereas Elerts is a novice at working again, Miramonte junior Carson Blair is a lot acquainted with the quarterback place — and appeared the half. Regardless of the dropping effort, Blair confirmed off each a part of his recreation.
Miramonte quarterback Carson Blair (2) fumbles the ball towards Acalanes within the fourth quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
By way of the air, he went 19-of-37 passes for 350 yards, his lone passing landing being a 59-yard dime to senior extensive receiver Jack Quinnild. On the bottom, he gained 42 yards and scored two touchdowns, the primary of which noticed him reducing his shoulder and powering his approach into the tip zone.
Associated Articles
Excessive College Sports activities |
‘That is Valley Christian soccer’: Warriors make WCAL assertion by blowing out Riordan at house
Excessive College Sports activities |
Led by clutch protection, San Ramon Valley pulls away late to beat California in league opener
Excessive College Sports activities |
Mr. 300: St. Francis’ Kingston Keanaaina units extra information as Lancers outlast Serra
Excessive College Sports activities |
Evergreen Valley’s second-half surge thwarts James Lick’s upset bid
Excessive College Sports activities |
Bay Space highschool soccer: Friday’s scores, Saturday’s schedule
“Carson’s our offensive MVP,” mentioned Miramonte head coach Nick Safir. “He’s the engine that makes the thing run. We’ve got an incredible group of receivers for him to throw it to, but nothing rattles the kid. He just has such poise. We’re lucky we have him for one more year. He’s a hell of a football player.”
Added Burnsed: “He’s a really good quarterback. He’s smart. If you try to blitz him, he hits the hot receiver. He can scramble and get away. … Their quarterback and receiving core is very good.”
The stats are spectacular on their very own, however how Blair gathered these numbers are equally noteworthy.
Of Blair’s 17 completions, seven went for at the least 20 yards and three went for at the least 40 yards. On a number of events, Blair escaped bother when the pocket collapsed and located a receiver on the run, making passes when he was mere inches from the sideline. When Blair ran for his first landing of the day, a seven-yard scramble, he lowered his shoulder and powered his approach into the tip zone.
“I try to model my play after Baker Mayfield, especially when he was in college at Oklahoma,” Blair mentioned. “He would scramble, he’d throw on the run, he’d put his head down and get those extra yards. He’d throw it deep. Also, Tom Brady, trying to have that mental aspect of watching film and studying — knowing what they’re going to do and how they’re going to react to what we’re going to do.”
Acalanes’ Bethel Imasuen (65) rushes towards Miramonte’s Hugo Shen (72) within the fourth quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Miramonte head coach Nick Safir appears on through the coin toss from the sideline earlier than the beginning of their highschool soccer recreation towards Acalanes in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Acalanes’ Niko White (18) is unable to finish a move underneath protection from Miramonte’s Mitch Reichenbach (12) within the second quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Acalanes’ Drew Mckenzie (62) and Bethel Imasuen (65) stand on the sector throughout a break within the motion within the second quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Acalanes’ Bethel Imasuen (65) stands on the sector throughout a break within the motion within the second quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Miramonte’s Mitch Reichenbach (12) catches a move towards Acalanes’ David Roux (23) within the fourth quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
Acalanes’ Bethel Imasuen (65) rushes towards Miramonte’s Hugo Shen (72) within the fourth quarter of a highschool soccer recreation in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Acalanes would go onto defeat Miramonte 35-28. (Photograph by Anda Chu)
