The football team fell to the Los Gatos Wildcats 42-20, struggling to overcome an early deficit despite multiple scoring drives in the second half, on Saturday afternoon.
Before the game, the team honored its seniors with a special walk down the field alongside their families. Each senior was presented with a candy lei and recognized for their dedication and contributions to the program.
“As seniors, we have had zero real home games and had to practice on the baseball field. Even with those challenges, we have stuck together, so I hope they remember our resiliency,” senior wide receiver Zachary Sokol said.
Junior kick returner Oscar Barron started the game with an impressive return, giving the Bears favorable field position. M-A’s offense wasted no time gathering momentum, with junior quarterback Bishop Manumaleuna connecting with senior slot receiver Xavier Bedolla, earning the Bears a first down. Junior running back Kennedy Monroe followed up with a run down the middle, moving M-A into the red zone.
However, two incomplete passes stalled the drive, and Los Gatos’ defense stopped the Bears on fourth down to force a turnover. The Wildcats wasted no time moving downfield, benefiting from an unnecessary roughness penalty against M-A.
On the next play, Los Gatos found an opening on the right side and scored a touchdown, and the extra point gave the Wildcats a 7-0 advantage with 5:19 remaining in the first quarter.
Los Gatos kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, allowing the Bears to start at their own 35-yard line. A pass interference penalty against the Wildcats and a pass to senior wide receiver Griffin Birk brought M-A into the red zone.
Unfortunately, the Bears’ offense failed to reach the end zone and instead settled for a field goal attempt. However, Los Gatos blocked M-A’s attempt and managed to return it for a touchdown, extending their lead to 14-0 with 2:33 left in the quarter.
After another kickoff landed out of bounds, the Bears fell short of establishing their offense. A deep ball fell incomplete, and M-A struggled to communicate offensively.
On the other end of the ball, sophomore linebacker Kini Tau helped stop the run game, but Los Gatos then connected on a deep pass down the sideline for another touchdown, bringing the score to 21-0 to end the first quarter.
The Bears opened the second quarter with a catch over the middle by junior wide receiver Kyle Gabriel, followed by an unnecessary roughness penalty on Los Gatos that moved M-A downfield. After a long pass attempt to Gabriel was broken up, Manumaleuna connected with him again to secure a first down.
Senior running back Jamarlo Jackson maintained the offensive spark with a run up the sideline, and Monroe added another first down on a pass from Manumaleuna.
M-A continued their drive as Manumaleuna found Birk on a fade route in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Junior kicker Juanpablo Maciel converted the extra point, cutting Los Gatos’ lead to 21-7 with 5:39 remaining in the half.
Following the kickoff, a personal foul against Los Gatos pushed the Wildcats back. Senior safety Lucca Keighery stepped up for M-A, leaping to intercept a Wildcat deep throw to give M-A another opportunity to close the gap.
Even with the defensive boost, the Bears were unable to capitalize, eventually facing a fourth-and-21 and punting near the end of the half.
M-A’s defense attempted to slow the Wildcats, with senior cornerback Diego Madrid breaking up a pass and the defensive line applying pressure, forcing Los Gatos to punt.
However, the Wildcats came up with an interception on the following offensive possession, giving Los Gatos the ball in Bears territory. The Wildcats drove downfield and scored with six seconds remaining, carrying the 28-7 lead into halftime.
Los Gatos had no issue moving down the field to begin the second half, eventually adding another touchdown to extend their advantage to 35-7. The Bears responded immediately, with Manumaleuna firing a deep 53-yard pass to Gabriel, moving the chains for M-A.
Manumaleuna then harmonized with senior wide receiver Beau Courson for a first down before scoring on a quarterback sneak. The extra point was successful, bringing the score to 35-14 with 3:29 left in the quarter.
M-A’s defense disrupted the Wildcats’ next possession, with senior linebacker Sam Huddleston making an impressive tackle on the kickoff return and senior cornerback Tapu Manisela recording a tackle for loss.
Senior defensive end Kaito Yoshida forced an intentional grounding penalty, pushing Los Gatos into a punting situation deep in their own territory. The Bears drew a pass interference penalty right away, giving M-A a powerful field position as the third quarter came to a close.
The Bears carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, advancing downfield through multiple runs by Monroe. Facing fourth-and-goal, Manumaleuna floated a pass that tipped off a Wildcat defender and landed in Birk’s hands in the back of the end zone. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 35-20.
Los Gatos quickly responded, moving downfield and scoring another touchdown to extend their lead to 42-20, with 7:42 left in the game. The Bears’ possession was cut short with an interception by the Wildcats.
However, M-A’s defense recovered a fumble on the one-yard line with four minutes remaining, allowing the Bears a chance to finish strong. Manumaleuna connected with Courson for a first down as M-A attempted to mount another scoring drive, but the Bears were unable to convert on fourth down, and Los Gatos sealed the victory 42-20.
“Starting 0-5 was super rough for everyone, but the fact that we’ve managed to pursue and be able to go play in the playoffs and not give up really makes me feel proud of what we’ve done despite our record,” Yoshida said.
“Our growth through this season has been exponential and it has brought us closer and helped us fight harder each Friday night and become one unit. We win and lose together as brothers, and I hope that people remember this group to be resilient to setbacks,” Manumaleuna said.
The Bears will face off against the Kings Academy away on Friday at 7 p.m.
