Justin-Siena prevails in defensive slugfest against Fortuna in home-opener to get Streblow first victory
By Kyle Foster, photo courtesy of Eric Thomson (Shamboozled.com)
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
It may have taken an extra week, but Tyler Streblow has his first win at Justin-Siena.
It all happened on Friday night when the Braves beat visiting Fortuna 6-0 in a defensive war at Dodd Stadium.
“I’m just proud of the team,” Streblow said. “We were down I don’t know how many quarterbacks, how many offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebackers. I think everyone got in, everyone contributed tonight, just the fight when everything wasn’t going perfect, the amount of times the defense stopped them on third and short forth and short”.
The Braves were playing in the backfield most of the night, as they were able to sack Fortuna quarterback Cortlyn Corning two times and limit the Huskies’ veer offense from getting any chunk plays.
“Kai Hoffman did a good job Luke Giusto did a great job taking away that dive (play),” Streblow said of his defense that made many game-changing plays. “We’re going to live with the two, three-yard plays, and then we’re going to make them drive down the field.”
For the night, Justin-Siena (1-1) held Fortuna to 279 yards of total offense. Though that number may not be as low as one would think, they also forced three turnovers. They also took on the bend but don’t break mentality by not letting the Huskies (0-2) convert on numerous third and fourth downs with a short distance to go.
“Our inside linebackers are where it all starts,” Streblow pointed out. “Our two seniors, Brandon Guiducci and Emrys Davies, they just play hard. Like I can’t really say much other than those were two kids who showed up, work their butts off all offseason, they just bring the heat, they bring the smoke.”
The game’s lone score came with 7:45 left till halftime when Josiyah Maddalone found Jason Gray for a 36-yard connection.
“I seen an open man and I had to throw it to him,” Maddalone recalled of the 36-yard touchdown. “The defender was lacking. I had trust in Jason, so I threw it up. He went to go grab it.”
Maddalone found out on Tuesday that he would take over signal calling duties. In his first start at quarterback in a while, the senior accounted for 146 scrimmage yards.
“He’s just a really good kid,” Streblow said of Maddalone. “I’m just really proud of him. It’s hard to come in and play quarterback when you haven’t gotten any snaps all summer, all far so far. Before practice, we really went over the playbook. He did an awesome job. He’s just willing to do anything.”
Maddalone also found Trevor L’Esperence for an 80-yard connection that changed field position, only to fumble on the next play.
Roman Williams got the carries from the halfback position and wracked up 8 yards in 9 carries. Maddalone rushed 9 times for just 26 yards.
It’s safe to say the offense is still a work in progress, as they have scored just six points over the first two games of the season.
The biggest play of the night came with 1:03 left when Maddalone snagged a rushed Corning pass to seal the contest
The victory also means that Justin-Siena avenges last year’s loss in Humboldt County where Fortuna won 27-20.
The road doesn’t get much easier for Justin-Siena as they will be taking a trip to Concord to face Ygnacio Valley next Friday night.
