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Published on 10/20/1997 All articles from this issue

Los Altos' win over Mountain View is 'huge'

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

It's doubtful anyone savored Los Altos High's 14-7 victory over Mountain View High more than Pete Bjorklund.

The Eagles' standout lineman had been pointing to this football game for two months, predicting a Los Altos win back in August.

"This is huge," said a smiling Bjorklund moments after last Saturday's game.

Huge for a few reasons:

It improved Los Altos to 2-0 in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. A win at 3-0 Milpitas Friday (7:30 p.m.) would put Los Altos atop the division.

It broke the Spartans' seven game win streak over the Eagles.

It spoiled homecoming for rival Mountain View.

The last time Los Altos won a game this big, Ronald Reagan was in the White House. This explains why fans filed onto the field to celebrate with the players, who in turn doused head coach Ron Moser with Gatorade.

It appears Mountain View did its celebrating prior to kickoff.

"They talked a lot of smack before the game," Bjorklund said. "We kept our mouths shut and showed them on the field. That's where we do our talking."

Spartans coach Dan Navarro believes over-confidence played a key role in his team's demise.

"I tried to tell them all week that Los Altos is a better team than it was in the past and they still didn't anticipate it," he said. "They expected the same old thing."

Mountain View should have re-considered that notion after its first play from scrimmage. The Eagles weren't fooled by Dan Griffin's halfback pass, and Mike Murphy intercepted the ball at the Spartans' 36.

Four downs later, Dan Tucker scored on a 15-yard sweep to put Los Altos on top.

Mountain View committed another turnover later in the quarter when passer Alan Henley fumbled the snap from center.

The Eagles' drive stalled at midfield, but then the Spartans re-started it by running into Los Altos punter Alex Ware. The penalty gave the Eagles a first down at the Mountain View 35.

Los Altos (2-4 overall) took advantage six plays later when Dino Quintero crossed the goal line on a 1-yard keeper.

The Spartans would commit two more turnovers before halftime. They had a season-high five giveaways on the day.

Mountain View (1-1, 3-3) finally showed signs of life late in the third quarter with an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive.

Griffin got things rolling with a 45-yard scamper down the left sideline. Tight end Matt Smith accounted for the other big play of the drive, turning a Henley screen pass into a 26-yard gain. Henley capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

Los Altos tried to extend its lead with a field goal in the game's closing minutes, but Mountain View's Leemone Young blocked Ware's kick.

This gave the Spartans the ball at their own 42 with 3:25 remaining. Fullback Mike Caldwell opened the drive with a 15-yard run. However, the Eagles' formidable defensive line stiffened after that.

Griffin, who had a game-high 110 yards rushing, gained just 4 yards on the next three plays. Los Altos end Gunars Turaids then stopped Caldwell for a 1-yard gain on fourth down to preserve the lead.

And in other local games:

Palo Alto 26, Gunn 6

Gunn (1-1, 2-4) lost its second straight game, a non-league contest to rival Palo Alto.

The Titans could only manage two Dan Broderick field goals. They were plagued by penalties and three turnovers.

Homestead 29, Monta Vista 0

Homestead (1-1, 2-4) celebrated homecoming with its first league win of the year.

Jason Woods rushed for 175 yards and scored on a 93-yard dash. Woods also scored when he blocked a Monta Vista punt.

Quarterback Andy Myers ran for 78 yards and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to fellow Los Altan Darren Anthony.