Sports
Football: Miramonte Holds Off Fortuna to Improve to 2-0
Late interception and two fourth-quarter touchdowns are key for the Matadors.
Miramonte 35 Fortuna 21
The Star: Miramonte running back John Coupin rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown, to go along with an interception at linebacker.
The Turning Point: With Fortuna on the verge of a game-tying 10-play touchdown drive with 5:31 to play in the game, Coupin's leaping interception off a deflected pass ultimately secured the win for Miramonte.
Find out what's happening in Lamorindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Quote: "Whether you win by one point or 100, it doesn't matter." – Miramonte head coach John Wade.
What's Next? The Matadors travel to Fremont to take on Mission San Jose on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Lamorindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bottom Line: The running combination of Coupin and junior quarterback Ross Anderson was too much for Fortuna, while the Miramonte ultimately bent, but did not break against Fortuna's straight-forward option offense.
———————————
After giving up a touchdown two minutes into the first quarter, and exchanging scores throughout the game, the Miramonte High football team was able to capitalize on two Fortuna turnovers and secure a 35-21 victory Saturday at the inaugural Far West Showcase at Dublin High.
Although Fortuna only suited up 21 players, it jumped out to a 13-7 lead behind the running of quarterback Brady Shaha.
But an Miramonte interception by defensive back Kelly McGonigle late in the first quarter was the spark the Matadors needed to get in gear.
Two plays later, quarterback Ross Anderson scrambled in for a 22-yard touchdown, and Miramonte eventually took a 21-13 lead into halftime.
There was no quit in Fortuna, however, and the Huskies mounted 14-play, 70-yard drive, all on the ground. After a touchdown and two-point conversion, the score was again tied at 21.
"We weren't getting to our responsibilities," Miramonte head coach John Wade said, "and it's a hard offense to cover everything up."
Miramonte responded on the ensuing drive, with a mixture of runs by Anderson and two long gains by running back John Coupin.
With 10:55 left in the game, Anderson found the endzone on seven-yard option keeper and Miramonte had a lead it would not give up.
"He's a junior, and everything is a work in progress," Wade said of Anderson. "But he is going to be one of the good ones."
Fortuna had one last charge in it and mounted another ground-churning drive, before Coupin sealed the win for Miramonte, laying out for an interception off a deflected pass.
Moments later, the senior powered in from nine yards out to give Miramonte a 14-point lead with 1:00 to play.
"(Coupin) is one of our captain's and a three-year," Wade said. "He's a tough kid."
Anderson finished 8-for-13 for 132 yards including a 32-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Anthony Piganelli, to go along with 79 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
—————————
Miramonte 35 Fortuna 21
Miramonte – 14 7 0 14 - 35
Fortuna – 13 0 8 0 - 21
Scoring Summary
9:58, 1st: F – Shaha 25 run (Cahill kick)
7:33, 1st: M – Piganelli 32 pass from Anderson (Piganelli kick)
5:13, 1st: F – Shaha 1 run (kick blocked)
1:58, 1st: M – Anderson 22 run (Piganelli kick)
9:09, 2nd: M – Anderson 1 run (Piganelli kick)
1:34, 3rd: F – Cahill 3 run (2-pt conversion good-Cahill run)
10:55, 4th: M – Anderson 7 run (Piganelli kick)
1:03, 4th: M – Coupin 9 run (Piganelli kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing (car-yards): M –Coupin 15-112, Anderson 16-79, Booze 1-8. F – Shaha 19-78, Cahill 15-99, Eilers 7-13.
Passing (comp-att-yards-int): M – Anderson 8-13-138-0. F – Shaha 2-10-86-2.
Receiving (Rec-yards): M – Piganelli 2-40, Coupin 2-29, Pietrykowski 1-20, Thatcher 1-13, Solit 1-31, McGonigle 1-10. F – Eilers 1-75, Fowler 1-11.
Team Offense (rushing-passing-total)
Miramonte – 199-138-337
Fortuna – 190-86-276
Fumbles/lost: M -0/0. F -1/0
Records: Miramonte 2-0, Fortuna 0-2
—————————
—————————
More Patch East Bay Football Coverage — Week 1
Friday Sept. 10
San Ramon Valley 16, Mitt-San Jose 13. By Kyle Bonagura
Campolindo 35, Mt. Eden 14. By Kyle Yamamoto
Encinal 59, El Cerrito 20. By Jordan Conn
Marin Catholic 20, Las Lomas 8. By Richard Paolinelli
Serra-San Mateo 28, Monte Vista 21. By Jim Mannion
Dougherty Valley 31, Kennedy-Fremont 13. By Bill Soliday
Foothill 37, Novato 12. By Steve R. Waterhouse
Cal 45, College Park 3. By Adam Berke
Berean Christian 45, St. Helena 7. By Peter Fournier
Northgate 70, Tennyson 18. By Jim Mannion
Vallejo 42, Albany 24. By Patrick Creaven
Concord 36, Amador Valley 23. By Eric Gilmore
Saturday Sept. 11
Acalanes 10, Hayward 6. By Kyle Bonagura
Bishop O'Dowd 59, Alameda 10. By Matt Rempel
