California Spirit Elite, an All-Star competitive cheerleading team based in Pleasanton, took home top honors at the Jamz Xtreme Cheerleading Championships at the University of Pacific in Stockton this weekend.
The CSE Junior Level 2 All Star squad tumbled, stunted and danced their way to a nearly flawless performance, winning the team a full paid bid to the International All Levels Championship to be held next spring in Los Angeles. The squad not only earned the highest point score in the Junior division but also in the entire competition. CSE is the first team on the West Coast to win a $4,500 bid.
California Spirit Elite was founded three years ago by Marcy and Steve Rodriguez. Under CSE Director Chris York, the gym has grown into one of the finest programs in Northern California serving athletes from cities all over the East Bay. The program is home to multiple All-Star cheer teams, and serves as the training facility for numerous award-winning middle and high school cheerleading programs from Danville, San Ramon, and Pleasanton.
Dragons defeat Dolphins in U9 BUSC action
Dolphins and Dragons enjoyed an evenly played, competitive game, with the momentum swinging back and forth. Dolphins came out strong in the first half with goals by Staton Rosenblum and Carter Person. Dragons came back to score in the last seconds of the first half and again in the second half, despite some great saves by the Dolphin goalkeepers.
Raiders tie it up with the Colts
Week eight of the PJFL brought the Colts to the Raiders for their third match up with the Colts starting the first offensive series of the last regular season game. The Colts moved the ball 34 yards before Raiders safety R. Landsman had a deflected pass land in his arms. After a 35-yard return and 15 more on a penalty the Raiders offense took the field only to go four and out.
The Colts looked impressive moving the ball 19 yards on five plays but were forced to punt. The Raider O returned to drive the ball 29 yards downfield to the Colts 13-yard line before fumbling the ball back to the Colts. On the very next play the Colts fumbled it right back to the Raiders. The Colt defense pushed the Raiders back to their 24-yard line before getting the ball back on downs. Deep in their own territory the Colts were forced to punt on fourth down. The Raiders got the ball back with 24 seconds left in the half and went to the air completing two passes for 20 yards before the clock ran out to end the half.
The second half started with the Raiders going three and out, punting the ball to the Colts’ 17 yard line. The Colts get to their 42 before Raider CB Trevor Berryman intercepts and returns a Colt pass for 10 yards. The Raiders are again held to four and out. The Raider D returned the favor and forces the Colts out in four. On the Colts 27-yard line it only takes two plays before Raider RB Kane “The Rabbit” Millerstrom found his hole and picked up six. The Colts refuse to give up and cap off a 63-yard march to the end zone for six with a miracle pass completion that stunned the Raider D. After a four and out for both teams, the clock ran out ending the last regular season game in a tie.
Serpents survive Squadrons match
The Serpents played the Squadrons in the under 7 BUSC league last Saturday, despite a muddy field. It was a fast start for the Serpents, with Thomas Babati scoring off a cross from the corner. Nolan Jetter was steady in defense as usual, with Vinay Srinivasan making some good passes from the flanks. Travis Muat had a good stint as the goalie with a couple of saves. All players showed marked improvement from the beginning of the season and the team played with cohesion.
The Squadrons made a run in the third quarters with a few goals, but the Serpents did not wilt under pressure. It was a well played game and the slushy field could not slow down the spirit of the kids.
Steelers take last regular season game
The last regular season game of the senior division saw the Steelers and Saints battle it out. The Saints received the opening kick and after controlling the ball for 5:20 were forced to punt. The Steeler O didn’t fare much better after picking up 43 yards there, forced to punt as well. The Steeler D stepped up big with an 11-yard sack of the punter by D-End Ray Hudson. The Steelers came out quickly and got to the air only to have the ball deflected right into the hands of a waiting Saint. The Steeler D forced a quick Saints punt fielded by RB Joshua Yu who returned it to the Saints 20-yard line. The Steeler O looked to take advantage of this gift and do just that when QB Kyle Moreno connected with RB Zack Wilhite in the back of the end zone for the first score of the game. Again the Steeler D forced a Saints punt then take a knee to end the half.
The Steelers started the second half going three and out only to have the punt blocked. The Saints came out and picked up a quick first down on two plays then fumbled the ball recovered by Steeler LB Sumner Huston. The Saints D forced the Steelers to another three and a punt. The Saints returned the ball to the Steelers 16-yard line, and four plays later the Saints are in for six. The Steelers come right back when RB Joshua Yu gets to the outside and went 40 yards to pick up six of his own. This time Steeler D-lineman Billy Rodgers was quick to recover the Saints second fumble of the game. With the Steeler O fired up it only took three plays until Yu got around the outside, taking the ball 47 yards for his second six of the day.
The Saints offense got right back into it with a little trickery picking up 40 yards on a pass play that caught the Steeler D off guard, two plays later the Saints were in for their second TD and the two point PAT. The Saints D got the ball back for their offense with 1:46 left to play but the Steeler D refused to let this one get away and quickly shut down the Saints forcing them out in four. The Steelers took a knee to end the game with a win.
JV Dons put up a fight with De La Salle
In a game that was much closer than the final score indicated, the Amador Valley JV Dons lost 51-28 to the visiting De La Salle Spartans. The game was a back-and-forth affair, featuring six touchdowns of 50 yards or more and another 38-yard strike.
The Dons were forced into punt formation on their opening series drive after moving the ball out to the 39 yard line. Carson Ewanich, back to punt, took a low snap and decided to run. Before the Spartans could react, the speedy Ewanich had raced 61 yards to the end zone and Amador was up 7-0.
Taking over at their own 40, De La Salle scored with a 60-yard run on the first play from scrimmage to tie the score. Things then seemed to settle down, as Amador and De La Salle each exchanged three-and-out punts and the Dons got the ball back–pinned deep at their own 3 yard line. On the first play, Ewanich took the hand off in the end zone for a run up the middle. Finding no room there, he bounced to the right, the short side of the field, and the race was on. A desperation diving tackle nearly tripped Ewanich at the Spartan 40, but he regained his balance to complete the 97-yard touchdown run, putting Amador up 14-7.
With two minutes left in the half, the Spartans moved the ball down to the Dons 3 yard line and were looking to tie the game. However, a penalty, a dropped pass in the end zone, and a couple of big tackles, by Brian Hill and Andrew Garcia, forced De La Salle to settle for a field goal.
The Dons attempted to run out the clock on the first half, but gave De La Salle the ball back, threw a deep post pattern to an open receiver to take half at 24-14.
The run of Spartans and Dons “big plays” continued unabated after the break. It started with the second half opening kickoff, a 95 yard kickoff return by De La Salle to put them up 27-14. Not to be deterred, the Dons came right back with their own big play. On the first play after the kickoff, Cameron Ashtiani took the ball at the 16 yard line and showed off his speed sprinting 84 yards for the touchdown. The Dons trailed by only six, 27-21.
On the subsequent drive, a big Spartan run and pass put them in scoring position at the Dons 26 yard line. However, a botched option play resulted in a fumble and the opportunistic Ewanich picked up the loose ball at the 30. Once again the race was on, and Ewanich went the distance, returning it 70 yards for his third touchdown of the game. With 7:51 left in the third period, the Dons were back on top 28-24. Unfortunately, it was to be the last Dons score of the evening.
A 38-yard Spartans touchdown pass gave them the lead back, 31-28, with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. After the Dons went three-and-out, DLS put together a 12 play time consuming drive to go up 38-28 at the 6:40 minute mark of the fourth quarter. The game quickly got away from the Dons. De La Salle took advantage of a fumble on the Dons first play–scoring two plays later from the 20. A penalty kept the Dons from getting anything going on their next possession and the Spartans added one more touchdown.
Ewanich had a 60 yard return on the ensuing kickoff to help move the ball down to the Spartans 10 yard line before time expired.
Despite losing the game, Amador put up impressive offensive yardage, racking up 351 yards of total offense. Ewanich had 180 yards of rushing on seven carries, a 60-yard kickoff return, and a 70-yard fumble recovery for a total of 310 yards. Ashtiani, also had a banner day, rushing for 122 yards on 10 carries.
Rage scores big in Val Vista
The Pleasanton Rage U15AC went on a scoring frenzy Oct. 19 and 20 to beat Newark Freedom 4-1 and Diablo FC 6-2. In Rage’s first game against Newark, Charlee Garcia got them started scoring a beautiful goal from the 35 yard line on a free kick. Ashley Jenezon, Olivia Zhu and Cassie Scroggins followed with three more goals assisted by Erin O’Loughlin.
On Sunday, Erin O’Loughlin got a hat trick to keep Rage’s scoring momentum going in their game against Diablo FC. Ashley Jenezon, Haley Boehmer, and Cassie Scroggins assisted by Elena Victor, and Erin Schoendienst scored three goals to finish 6-2. Haley Paxton, Melissa Atkins, Stefanie Little and Marisa Victor controlled the Rage’s midfield not allowing opponents balls through the middle. The Rage stingy defense Delaney Holmes, Lindsay Rigel, Megan Ash Gabriella Perko kept Newark and Diablo FC at bay and keepers Carley Boehmer & Jillian Beck allowed only three goals.
Lady Hustle needs a pitcher
Lady Hustle 14s is seeking an eighth grade pitcher to fulfill its roster for the spring/summer 2009 tournament schedule. The team will participate in a competitive tournament schedule, including the Park City, Utah World Series in July, and the ASA Western Nationals in Georgia or the ASA National Tournament in Washington in August. Contact Gil Herrera, 383-4708 or Teresa Borchard, 785-0846 to arrange for a private try-out. Visit www.ladyhustlefastpitch.com.
Niners beat Raiders in PJFL ‘battle of the bay’
The PJFL Senior 49ers put in a strong defensive effort along with an offense that took advantage short fields to post a 22-6 win over the Raiders in flag football action. The Niners defense limited the Raiders to a pair of first downs and intercepted three passes in the win.
The defense held the Raiders to a four-and-out on the Raiders first drive; the Niners taking over on the Raiders 30. Alec Hillman ran for 20 on first down to get down to the 10 and then, three plays later scored around right end, squeezing into the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful and 49ers led 6-0.
On the ensuing drive, Kevin Murphy intercepted a pass and nearly ran it back for a score, getting stopped on the Raiders eight. On the first play, Trent Kravitz went around right end for the score. This time the conversion, a short pass to Kevan Knaggs, was complete for a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders answered with a drive of their own to narrow the score to 14-6 at intermission.
Murphy got his second pick of the game to start the second half and the Niners were once again in business at the Raiders 35. Kravitz went left for 25 yards on first down. After losing four on the next play, Kravitz found Knaggs over the middle and the big guard found his way into right side of the end zone. The conversion from Kravitz to Adam Alviso provided the final margin of victory.
On the remaining drives, Aaron Silva posted a couple of nice runs, good for 27 yards, behind the blocking of Austin Simmons and JoshSpaugh, but the Niners couldn’t get into the end zone again.
