Trojans end 3 years of frustration
Milpitas subdues Cougars in an offensive slugfest
MORAGA >> It took six attempts for the seniors on the Milpitas football team to get the win they had been seeking since they were sophomores, and when the dream finally came true, emotions were overwhelming.
“We play as a team and the kids buy into that,” said Milpitas coach Kelly King as he stood off to the side watching his players celebrate a 52-38 victory over Campolindo on Saturday night in the CIF State NorCal Regional 4-A contest. “This is big, not having gotten it done two years ago.”
King was referring to a 27-24 loss two years ago at Campolindo in the NorCal Regionals, but there has been a lot more frustration than that one game for Milpitas. How about three defeats in Central Coast Section championship games, including last week against Salinas, and two more setbacks in the regionals?
“Losing two straight NorCal games and three straight section championships,” said running back Tariq Bracy. “This feels great, finally getting over the hump.”
Next up for Milpitas (131) is a visit to Southwest El Centro (14-0) for the 4-A CIF State title. Southwest EC beat San Joaquin Memorial 31-28. The teams play next Saturday at 6 p.m.
Bracy turned in an unforgettable performance against the Cougars, rushing for 310 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.
But he wasn’t the only player turning in superlatives.
Milpitas receiver Tuni Faletau Fifita caught seven passes for 163 yards and two scores.
Campolindo quarterback John Torchio threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 131 yards and a touchdown.
The teams combined for 1,213 yards in this backand-forth game in which the lead changed eight times — in the first half. Milpitas finished with 625 yards of total offense; Campo had 588.
Milpitas took a 30-28 lead into halftime when Mariano Robles kicked a 28-yard field goal as time expired.
It became a nine-point lead at 37-28 when Bracy scored from 10 yards out on Milpitas’ first possession of the second half, and Campolindo got no closer than six points after that.
The game was as exciting as the offensive yardage and the final score indicated. There was big play after big play from the very first drive.
Milpitas took the opening
kickoff and marched 72 yards in eight plays, with Bracy going the last 21 for a 6-0 lead when the extra point failed.
Campolindo (10-5) returned the favor on its first possession, driving 80 yards in eight plays and taking a one-point lead when it converted the extra point.
Those two touchdowns set the tone for a wild first half. Milpitas scored three more touchdowns on passes from quarterback Tyree Bracy, two to Fifita and one to PJ Vai.
Campolindo scored on a 59-yard run by Torchio and two TD passes, one to Shun Ishida and the other to Parker Windatt, who caught 15 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
Milpitas appeared on the verge of shooting itself in the foot on the final drive of the
first half. Down 28-27, the Trojans moved from their own 34 to first-and-goal at the 1.
Tariq Bracy then took a handoff from his brother and scored what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown, but it was called back by a procedure penalty.
Three incomplete passes later, Robles kicked a 23yard field goal that was taken off the board by another Milpitas penalty. Backed up 5 yards, Robles drilled a 28-yarder to put Milpitas ahead for good.
“Our kids fought hard,” Campolindo coach Kevin Macy said. “Milpitas played good. They made plays all night, they made big plays. And (Tariq) Bracy is smooth. He’s got a natural gift. It didn’t take much of a crease for him to get loose and do something big.”