The Malibu High junior varsity football team lost its first league game on Thursday against the Santa Clara Saints, 34-13. After falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter, the Sharks made a valiant come-back attempt, but were unable to pull themselves out of the hole after a brawl broke out, resulting in the ejection of three Sharks’ players.
The Saints opened the game with a touchdown, and then were able to pick off a Shark pass and run it back for a score, to take a 14-0 lead in the opening minutes. The Sharks began to pull it together, with two consecutive long-yardage runs by running back Jackson Wirht. However, a Saint’s hard tackle brought him down and he had to be escorted off the field with an injured shoulder, which likely will sideline him for most of the season, and possibly the whole season.
From there, a blocked punt led to a score, putting Santa Clara up 21-0. The Sharks made a drive with time winding down in the first quarter, and after a long kickoff return by Malibu receiver Doug Bogie and an impressive performance by running back Kyle Parker, the Sharks brought the ball to the 7-yard line to end the first quarter.
Beginning the second quarter, quarterback Austin Scott ran in the Sharks’ first touchdown of the day, making the score 21-7. After the kickoff, Malibu forced Santa Clara to a third down and needing 21 yards for a first. But the Saints were able to convert on a long touchdown throw, taking a commanding 28-7 lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Sharks revived their chances with a blocked punt and a long reception by receiver Doug Bogie that brought the ball to the 1-yard line. Parker was able to finish the drive with a run, making the score 28-13 because of a missed extra point. After the touchdown, the Shark’s defense forced Santa Clara to punt, putting the ball back in Malibu’s hands. But after a long run by Scott ending out of bounds on the Shark’s sideline, a Santa Clara player made a late tackle, provoking Scott to throw the ball at him and sparking a brawl. Both Ryan Hoagie (not in uniform because of injury) and Jackson Carter jumped into the fight, and the two of them and Scott were ejected, and suspended from the next game. The resulting penalties sent the Sharks back 30 yards from the end of the run, and were unable to convert. With the loss of both Malibu’s starting quarterback and running back, Santa Clara was able to score again, finishing the game off with a score of 34-13.
On the night, the Sharks lost six players, three to injuries and three suspended for the next game, including the starting quarterback Austin Scott, and running backs Kyle Parker and Jackson Wirht. Despite their losses, the Sharks hope to improve their record in their next game on the road against Bishop Diego on Thursday, and when they return home to face Fillmore at 4 p.m. on Oct. 25.
This costly loss gives the Sharks a 0-1 record in league play, as well as their first loss of the season, putting their record at 4-1-1.