200 wins for Steve Ellison

Petaluma unleashed a punishing ground attack to overpower Sonoma Valley, 34-0, at Durst Field on a night when the Trojan players capped the victory by hoisting their record-setting coach in front of many appreciative Trojan followers.

Led by the quick-hitting runs of senior fullback Ricky Sims, the Trojans rushed for 349 yards to earn Steve Ellison the 200th football win of his long coaching career.

Sims had his best statistical game of the season with 156 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans got terrific blocking from the front line, and dominated the mistake-prone Dragons from the opening minutes.

“What you saw tonight from Ricky is the same as he performs at every one of our practices. He never takes a play off,” said a soft-spoken Ellison in the midst of accepting the congratulations from many well wishers, including a longer second visit from the entire Sonoma coaching staff. Ellison was also interviewed for a post-game show on the Internet before he and his wife were pictured together after the historic win.

The public address announcer read a note from good friend and Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren reminding him of their times working together and offering congratulations on Ellison’s “legendary” status in the Bay Area football community. The Petaluma rooters were well aware of the importance of the game, with many holding up “200” signs in the grandstand during the game.

Nearing the completion of his 31st season at the helm of the Petaluma football program, Ellison ran his record to 200-126-7 overall as the current Trojan squad improved to 8-0 with two games remaining on the regular schedule.

“I don’t think I am going to have trouble keeping our kids up for the game at Windsor on Friday,” Ellison explained. “They took it to us here last year behind Cameron Erion, and there are many players I hope who haven’t forgotten that. We should be ready.”

Friday’s game was decided early. Sonoma turned the ball over four times in the first half, and Petaluma rolled to a 27-0 lead behind the rushing of Sims and Sean Sullivan. Sims had touchdown runs of 3, 15 and 5 yards before intermission as the Trojans continued to dominate field position.

Quarterback Mike Russell completely fooled the visiting Dragons on a keeper, and scrambled 40 yards for another touchdown in the second quarter.

The Dragons let the air out of their own tires by fumbling the ball away twice on alert plays by Petaluma defender Dalton Johnson and a key hit by Justin Wambold.

Before the game ended, Sonoma quarterback Steve Murden was intercepted by Chris Kane, Joe Soares and junior Tyler Tuck. Toss in eight critical penalties, and the Dragons were hard pressed to get anything going.

At the beginning of the third quarter, Sonoma got great field position when Richie Merlo of the Dragons picked up a loose ball fumbled deep in Petaluma territory.

Things went south quickly after a sack by Blake Olson. Kane intercepted a pass near the flag in the end zone, and the Trojans had to go on offense from the 1-yard line.

Ten plays later, the Trojans scored. A couple of runs by Sullivan moved the sticks and set the stage for a 37-yard touchdown by Sims. Quickly thereafter, the Petaluma staff went to work alternating in many reserves.

With junior quarterback Spencer Neve at the controls, Petaluma was able to move the ball, and maintain control of the clock the rest of the way. Backup fullback Dalton Berncich picked up crucial yardage in rolling over tacklers on two drives.

In the final minutes, the Dragon offense began to show signs of life. Three completions by Murden helped move the ball deep into Petaluma territory with time running out. Two well-directed passes were hauled in by 6-3 end Steve McGunagle.

With the pressure on to maintain the shutout, the Trojan reserves stiffened on three plays inside the 10-yard line and order was restored.

Before they left the game, Olson, Kane and Wambold were standouts on the defensive side of the ball.

Sullivan had another strong outing with 93 yards on 12 carries for the Trojans. He managed to get to the outside on occasion, but the stacked Dragon defense did not allow any breakaway runs.

Petaluma benefited from some well-directed kickoffs and PAT kicks by Braeden Ross. Jordy Baddeley came into to kick the final PAT in the third period.

The Trojan junior vasrsity scored four times in the second half to thump Sonoma 40-0 in the preliminary game.

Petaluma is at Windsor Friday night.