Historical past lesson: Saratoga, a former soccer energy, overpowers Mills to remain unbeaten

SARATOGA – The Saratoga Excessive soccer staff performs on Benny Pierce Area. There may be no better reminder of the times when the Falcons have been a dominant program within the Central Coast Part, going 13-0 three completely different seasons from 1973-1980 below the legendary Pierce.

Saratoga has modified through the years, as a faculty and a group, and soccer is now not king. However that doesn’t imply historical past and custom are forgotten.

In actual fact, after Saratoga’s 41-15 victory over Mills on Friday evening, there’s been some dialogue about Saratoga Excessive soccer historical past. That’s as a result of the Falcons are 4-0. And that hasn’t occurred since not less than the final millennium.

“It means everything,” mentioned senior two-way starter Keion Ashjaee-Marshall. “It’s a great feeling.”

“I’ve been coming to Saratoga games for a long time,” mentioned quarterback Anson Hulme, whose brother Seth performed throughout some lean seasons, together with a 1-7 marketing campaign in 2021. “I came in thinking we probably wouldn’t be too great. But we just keep on going. We keep on winning games.”

Saratoga’s Anson Hulme (11) appears to be like to move towards Mills Excessive College within the second half at Saratoga Excessive College in Saratoga, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)

Saratoga (3-0 within the Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division) unfold the ball round whereas protecting Mills (1-4, 1-2) off-balance. Ashjaee-Marshall had been averaging 90 yards speeding per recreation, however he took a backseat (9 carries, 38 yards) as 5 Saratoga backs gained not less than 35 yards on the bottom whereas the staff totaled 253.

However as Mills introduced its protection into the field, Saratoga countered with fast strikes to outdoors receivers in single protection.

Charlie Arman took a receiver display on the left aspect and broke free for a 60-yard landing (technically a run due to a backward move), and Ian Johnson did the identical on the following second-quarter sequence, this time for 64 yards as Saratoga constructed a 34-0 lead into the third quarter.

Saratoga’s Charlie Arman (10) celebrates in the long run zone after scoring a landing towards Mills Excessive College within the first half at Saratoga Excessive College in Saratoga, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)

Mills, which includes a balanced assault with the passing of quarterback Givanni Angelini and operating of Matthew Juul, by no means bought untracked till late. The Vikings’ spotlight was a 38-yard choose six by Kosta Jada, who spun out of tackles whereas heading towards the suitable sideline and reduce throughout to the left on a wild scoring return that reduce the deficit to 34-15 with 6:09 left.

Mills coach Rick Angelini preached enchancment to his gamers after the sport. Within the Lake Division, there are wins on the market if you happen to proceed to get higher, he mentioned.

As a lot as first-year Saratoga head coach Archie Ljepava is having fun with the current, he’s desirous about the long run. There isn’t any junior varsity staff this 12 months, so the 35-man roster contains all grades and requires the veterans to be keen to show the underclassmen and be examples.

“We’re relying on everybody,” Ljepava mentioned. “These guys are all together. That’s what we’re trying to develop, and that’s the way we play. We have eight different guys running the football, and multiple guys scoring — there were five different touchdown scorers Friday. We know it’s not a one-man show.”

Saratoga head coach Archie Ljepava talks along with his staff after defeating Mills Excessive Shool 45-15 at Saratoga Excessive College in Saratoga, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Space Information Group)
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