Pleasant Grove 42, Nevada Union 15
Granite Bay 14, Cosumnes Oaks 11
Bradshaw Christian 35, De Anza 14
Grant 55, Fresno Central 7
Bellarmine 42, Franklin 0
Antelope 28, Sheldon 7
Christian Bros. 48, Laguna Creek 8
Monterey Trail 24, Merced 7
Natomas 42, Valley 24
Jason Rossow won his first game as head football coach at
Pleasant Grove High School Friday night, a little more than a year later than
he really wanted.
It was on the first day of pre-season drills in August of
2014 that the new coach told his team he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor
and was going to have to undergo surgery right away. Rossow’s friend and
assistant coach Russ Gardner had to take over the head coaching reigns and the
Eagles were a disappointing 3-7.
On Friday Rossow was back on the sidelines in Pleasant
Grove’s home opener and watched his club force five turnovers and defeat Nevada
Union, 42-15.
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| Jason Rossow during pregame drills. |
“I feel great, the tumor is shrinking, we’re kicking this
cancer’s ass and I couldn’t be happier with the support from this program,
these coaches and my family,” he said.
When asked about what he thought about coaching win number
one coming when it finally did, Rossow was a bit speechless. After pausing to
think about it, he gave his players credit for sticking with him for as long as
they have.
“Ultimately I am all about the kids and I am so proud these
players,” Rossow said. “They endured such a tough year last year. Coming back
like they did during this off-season and after last week’s game to come out and
fight, I am so happy for them.”
In the week zero opener, the Eagles were drubbed at Rocklin,
56-14.
Rossow says he’s feeling great now and looks forward to a
few more wins this fall.
“For myself, it’s a great feeling to be back out here
coaching Friday nights,” he said. “Being an Elk Grove guy, the rivalry we’ve
had (with Nevada Union) we always love playing them. They are a great program.
We’ll take any win right now knowing what we have.”
Eagle quarterback Jake Ford hooked up with Dawson Weber on a
75-yard bomb in the first quarter to knot up the game at seven apiece. Nevada
Union put together its only impressive drive of the game on its first
possession to take an early lead, but sputtered the rest of the night.
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| Darren Chism (#18) is congratulated after scoring his second TD of the night |
Meanwhile, the Eagles (1-1) became opportunists in a big way
to pull away from the Miners (0-2) in the first half.
Daniel Enriquez’ interception at the NU 33 gave Pleasant
Grove great field possession moments after Ford’s bomb to Weber. Ford once
again hit Weber on a 12-yard strike to take the lead for good at 14-7.
A minute later Eagle’s safety Dom Johnson scooped up loose
ball and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to hand PG a 21-7 lead.
Enriquez picked up another interception late in the second
quarter at his own eight-yard line to end a Nevada Union scoring threat.
In the third quarter Gregory Eason recovered another Nevada
Union fumble and a couple plays later Darren Chism scored on a 19-yard run to
make it 28-7, Pleasant Grove.
Reserve quarterback Marco Baldacchino came in to spell Ford
late in the third quarter and fooled the Miner defense with run-option keeper
that worked for a 77-yard touchdown and extent the Eagles lead to 35-7.
Chism tacked on another TD in the fourth quarter following
Bobby Singh’s interception.
But, Rossow liked what he saw on special teams.
“Lowell Spore had a great game on special teams, flying down
the field,” Rossow said. “Overall I think we did really well defensively. The
(offensive) line was phenomenal tonight. They are the key to what we do and
they were outstanding.”
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