LIVERMORE — The win couldn’t be any sweeter for Granada.
After beginning the 12 months 2-4 and beneath the steering of a first-year head coach, the Matadors received their first league title since 2018 on Friday night time.
The cherry on high: They did it towards their largest rivals.
In comeback trend, Granada defeated Livermore 28-27 to win the East Bay Athletic League Valley Division crown and seize the Livermore metropolis title for the sixteenth time since 2004.
“This win means everything,” mentioned Granada receiver Damien Miles. “We’re going to the (section) playoffs. We’re city champs. There’s nothing more you can say.”
Operating again Estevan Duarte was spectacular within the win, totaling 95 yards speeding and two touchdowns whereas additionally catching 4 passes for 56 yards. Quarterback Jack Badger 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards and rushed for 106 yards and a landing.
Granada quarterback Jack Badger (6) celebrates after scoring a landing towards Livermore through the second quarter of their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
“I’m just so darn proud of these kids,” Granada coach Brandon Black mentioned. “You know, there were some highs and lows in that game, and they just stayed the course and stayed in it. At halftime, they still had a positive attitude, even though we were down. They just continued to fight and I’m so dang happy for them.”
The feelings of the sport confirmed early on.
Livermore was trying to win its first league title since 1993 and was desperate to do it on its rival’s dwelling discipline.
4 private foul penalties have been referred to as between the 2 groups within the first half, and even prompted a referee to inform coaches that their groups wanted to “stick with soccer.”
Regardless of the early penalties, Livermore’s offense dominated the primary quarter-hour.
The Cowboys put the primary factors on the board when working again Kamarri Robinson scored on a four-yard rush within the first quarter. After AJ Carey picked off a Granada move to arrange Livermore within the pink zone, Robinson scored his second landing of the half on a 2-yard plunge, giving the Cowboys a 13-0 lead.
Robinson completed with 101 yards on 20 carries.
However Granada discovered its groove later within the second quarter.
Badger capped off a seven-play, four-minute drive with a 9-yard sweep into the tip zone. Livermore responded with a rating on its subsequent drive, however Granada drove the ball 80 yards in two minutes, ending with a one-yard direct snap rating from working again Cody Phillips.
Granada’s Cody Phillips (40) runs into the tip zone for a landing towards Livermore through the second quarter of their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
At halftime, Livermore led 20-14.
The Cowboys appeared like they have been going to run away with the sport early within the third quarter.
Quarterback Matteo Lortie efficiently fooled the Granada protection on a run-pass choice play and located huge receiver CT Harper for a 10-yard landing that put the Cowboys up 27-14 with seven minutes left within the third quarter.
With the sport and the league title within the steadiness, Granada leaned on its playmakers to get again within the sport.
The Matadors responded with an almost eight-minute drive that ended with Duarte scoring on a one-yard plunge to start out the fourth quarter.
Granada compelled a vital three-and-out on Livermore’s subsequent possession, and received the ball again with simply over seven minutes left within the sport.
Livermore’s protection appeared to have put Granada in a tricky spot because the Matadors have been confronted with a fourth-and-one close to their very own finish zone. With their backs towards the wall, Badger made one of many largest performs of the night time as he took a direct snap 76 yards that finally led to a Duarte three-yard rating, giving Granada a 28-27 lead with simply over 5 minutes left.
Granada quarterback Jack Badger (6) breaks a sort out by Livermore’s Hayden Druba (8) and runs for a 76-yard run through the fourth quarter of their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
On the kickoff, Granada went with a gusty determination to strive an onside kick but it surely was recovered by Livermore and the Cowboys began the drive with nice discipline place.
Livermore’s offense marched down the sphere and continued to edge nearer to the Granada pink zone. However that’s when Miles made positive Granada was going to deliver dwelling the league title.
Miles compelled a fumble on a 3rd down run and linebacker Hayden Hobbs recovered, sealing the sport, metropolis title and league crown for Granada.
“I hit the ball,” Miles mentioned. “I saw him running with the ball and I punched it out. … We knew we had to stop those boys to win the game. It was our game.”
Hobbs added, “I saw that ball coming out because I was trailing my back hip. I saw the ball hit the floor and I just laid out. Luckily it landed right in my stomach. I covered it up. And, I mean, it was just amazing.”
Granada’s Damien Miles (4) punches the ball out of the grasp of Livermore’s Kamarri Robinson (5) forcing a fumble through the fourth quarter of their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Granada would recuperate the ball. Granada defeats Livermore 28-27. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Regardless of having a two-score lead within the second half, Livermore coach John Wade mentioned his workforce wanted to execute higher in crunch time.
“The number of possessions were limited in the second half,” Wade mentioned. “Anytime you only have a few possessions in the second half, you have to make the most of them. And we stalled a couple times, so it’s just too bad.”
Because the clock hit zeroes, Black was mobbed by his teaching workers and workforce. Granada proudly raised the town trophy and paraded it round its followers and scholar part.
With all that was on the road on Friday, the win meant extra to a Granada workforce that needed to take its lumps early within the season.
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The Matadors began the 12 months with a blowout loss to Monte Vista and had two extra huge defeats towards California and San Ramon Valley. However the Matadors stayed resilient.
“This win is great,” Badger mentioned. “We have a new coaching staff this year, so it’s been great to give them something.”
Granada will have a good time this win, however the workforce must refocus for an additional huge sport subsequent week when the North Coast Part playoffs begin.
“Tomorrow, we’re just going to wake up and get back to work,” Duarte mentioned. “We just got to pretend like it’s another regular season game.”
Livermore’s Jayden Altizer (20) intercepts a move meant for Granada’s Peyton Richards (10) through the first quarter of their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Granada college students rush the sphere to have a good time after defeating Livermore throughout their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Granada defeated Livermore 28-27. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Granada’s Damien Miles (4) celebrates after defeating Livermore throughout their sport at Granada Excessive College in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Granada defeated Livermore 28-27. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
