Santa Rosa coach finds reason to smile despite loss

Santa Rosa High football coach Denis Brunk spent Saturday watching film of his team’s game the night before at Rancho Cotate.

While he would’ve liked a better ending - his team lost 55-53 - Brunk found a reason to smile as the video ended.

“I’ve been coaching 20 years and only once or twice have I been involved in such a high-scoring game that wasn’t decided until the final seconds,” he said.

The Panthers came into the game an underdog and most thought Rancho’s high-powered offense (48 points per game) and home field would make for a lopsided outcome.

Santa Rosa got the Cougars’ attention from the start as they scored 18 points in the first quarter. The teams would trade touchdowns the entire game, each school scoring eight times.

Rancho took a 55-53 lead late but Santa Rosa got the ball at its own 45-yard line with two minutes remaining.

“We got a first down but then turned the ball over on downs,” Brunk said.

The game ended with Rancho quarterback Jake Simmons taking a knee at his 35-yard line.

“We had an opportunity to win the game,” Brunk said. “We just stumbled.

“I was so proud of the team. They fought hard and showed heart like they should.

“This is another turning point of our season. The kids gave attitude and effort and thought they could win from the opening kickoff.”

Santa Rosa hasn’t had many winning records this century, but second-year coach Brunk is turning around the mind-set on campus.

“This was a big game for the program,” he said. “We have our foot in the playoff door and that’s our goal.”

Quarterback Isaiah Steele had a huge game for the Panthers. He threw for five touchdowns and completed 17 of 34 passes for 452 yards. Cassius Banks was his favorite target. The two hooked up nine times for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Banks also returned a kick 87 yards for a score.

Santa Rosa is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the NBL. The Panthers end the regular season with games against Cardinal Newman and Casa Grande.

While Brunk was happy with his team’s performance, winning coach Ed Conroy wasn’t pleased with his squad.

“It was the worst game we’ve played all year,” he said. “We couldn’t stop Santa Rosa the first three quarters.

“We were out of rhythm and truly lucky to win the game.”

Tanielu Guerrero was a bright spot. He carried the ball 18 times for 112 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Quarterback Simmons completed 16 of 28 passes for 263 yards. Two of those tosses were for scores and he was intercepted once.

The Cougars are 5-0 in league with games against Maria Carrillo and Cardinal Newman still to be played.

In other Friday night games:

CARDINAL NEWMAN 51,?WINDSOR 14

At Cardinal Newman, Jaguars coach Tom Kirkpatrick said the Cardinals’ No. 1 ranking in the Redwood Empire is well-deserved.

“They’re the best team I’ve seen this season,” he said.

Windsor stayed with the Cardinals most of the first half and at one point, the score was 17-14 in favor of the home team.

However, Newman scored 31 straight points to make the outcome lopsided.

“We played hard,” Kirkpatrick said. “We ran out of gas and then (quarterback) Jordon Brookshire took over the game.”

Brookshire ran for two scores (11 and 4 yards) and passed for two more. He found Kyle Carnelli for a 35-yard touchdown and then hooked up with Sam Brossard from 18 yards out.

Newman coach Paul Cronin felt the pivotal play of the game happened late in the first half.

“I thought the key was the interception by Jake McElderry,” he said. “Dino Kahaulelio put a big hit on a Windsor receiver and McElderry picked off the ball.

“Then Brookshire found Carnelli for a touchdown. That gave us a 31-14 lead at halftime.”

Cronin praised the play of his defense, especially the work of Kahaukekiom, McElderry, Jason Moran and Tanner Mendoza.

Mendoza was also a factor on offense. He scored on runs of 3 and 5 yards.

Newman continues tied atop the NBL standings with Rancho Cotate. Both are 5-0 and the Cardinals are 6-1 overall.

Windsor is now 5-3 and 2-3.

CASA GRANDE 25,?MONTGOMERY 24

At Montgomery, the Gauchos were successful on a two-point conversion with 17 seconds left on the clock.

Just prior to that, Garrett Buffo found Clay Smedshammer in the back of the end zone to bring Casa within a point.

On the successful two-point conversion, Buffo threw a pass to fullback Mike Morarity in the flat.

“We knew we were going for two if we scored a touchdown,” Gauchos coach Trent Herzog said. “On the road, you go for the win.”

Casa went 60 yards in 37 seconds for its touchdown.

UKIAH 30,?MARIA CARRILLO 21

At Maria Carrillo, the Wildcats scored the first 30 points and then held on for the victory.

The Pumas scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the fourth to make things interesting.

Quarterback Brett Hofstetter led the Ukiah offense by throwing touchdown passes covering 54 and 41 yards.

The Wildcats enjoyed a big advantage in passing yardage (224 to 58). Hofstetter completed 18 of 25 attempts.

Carrillo was more successful on the ground (231 to 118). Spencer Netherda had a big game as he gained 146 yards on 20 carries. He also scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter.

ANALY 70,?HEALDSBURG 0

At Sebastopol, Jack Newman threw his first interception of the season, but that was the only thing that went wrong for the Tigers.

The score was 42-0 after one quarter.

Newman completed 14 of 25 for 295 yards and threw for four touchdowns.

Leading the Analy ground game with 137 yards on seven touches was Cristian Fajardo.