Sometimes you remember a game because a team gets more respect following a loss than it did any of its wins.
The Jesse Bethel (Vallejo) High Jaguars 22-15 loss to the Elk Grove Thundering Herd in the first-round of the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs had exactly that feeling. Elk Grove would eventually win the SJS Div. I title, beating Fairfield 34-12 but on this night in November 2001, Bethel would establish its presence as a perennial contender.
Setting the stage: Bethel opened its doors in 1998-1999 with just freshmen and sophomores before adding the junior class in 1999-2000. The school had all four grades in 2000-2001. With no juniors on its roster, the Jaguars went 2-8 in 2000 but the 2001 campaign included a roster seniors that were improved from a season ago coupled with three transfer student-athletes from crosstown rivals, Andrew Green and Dallas Bernstine from Vallejo and Carl Jiles from Hogan.
Bethel started the 2001 season 2-0 by outscoring Oakland and Hogan by a combined score of 95-20. For the remainder of the regular season, the Jaguars alternated each week with a win followed by a loss to go 6-4. The Jaguars were member of the Monticello Empire League, which had ten teams. The league had four allotted playoff berths. Bethel needed a 46-14 win over winless Benicia in the season finale to secure the MEL’s fourth postseason berth.
The swing win, however, was a 59-38 win over Vintage (Napa). In that game, Bernstine rushed for a North California record 553 yards and five touchdowns. Like Bethel, Vintage finished tied for fourth in the MEL with a 5-4 record but Bethel won the tiebreaker based on beating the Crushers head-to-head.
Elk Grove outscored opponents by an average of 38.6 to 12.0 during the regular season. The lowest margin of victory during the regular season was 12 points (34-22 over Laguna Creek in Game 4). The Thundering Herd’s 26-6 win over Woodland represented their lowest point total of the regular season.
Suffice it to say, Elk Grove entered this contest against the upstart Jaguars as an overwhelming favorite. I remember driving to the game thinking, “If the Jaguars stay within three touchdowns I’ll be impressed.”
Thumbnail sketch of the game: Elk Grove got first-half touchdown runs of 65 yards from Tyrice Daniels, who finished with 195 yards on 18 carries, a one-yard run by Marcus Riley and a 12-yarder from Allen Murry to achieve its 22-0 halftime lead. Two of those touchdowns were the result of a short field where the Thundering Herd took over after turnovers inside the Bethel 25-yard line.
Bernstine’s score was a 23-yarder on fourth and one that capped off an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Bernstine carried 26 times for 170 yards. Bernstine would later take the reigns at quarterback as Jaguars signal-caller Maurice Butler left the game with a finger injury. Jiles’ touchdown was a 47-yarder on third and 10, the first play of the fourth quarter. Jiles accumulated 120 yards on 15 carries.
The Jaguars later faced fourth-and-two near midfield with 9:41 left in the contest. Bethel head coach Jeff Turner elected to punt but since Bethel had just one time out remaining, the Thundering Herd were able to run out the clock and escape with a win.
Another subplot to the game was that Elk Grove had two second-half touchdowns nullified by penalty. Conversely, the Jaguars had two red zone trips go by the boards because of turnovers.
What it meant: Elk Grove had yet another close win one week later (28-27 over Nevada Union) before winning its next two games decisively (34-15 over Hiram Johnson and 34-12 over Fairfield) for its fifth SJS title and third in the last four years.
The next season the MEL split into two leagues with Bethel winning the MEL II title, going 7-2-1, beating Del Campo for its first postseason win in school history. In 2003, the Solano County Athletic Conference was formed, where the Jaguars have been ever since. Bethel fell short to Rodriguez in its only SJS title game appearance in 2007 but has been a regular participant in the postseason.
What I remember about this game was that it got the attention of people throughout Northern California. I remember covering a track & field meet at UC Davis. I would have conversations with other coaches and media members. At least, five if not more commented on this game six months later.
People are often dismissive of the term “moral victory.” I am that way too because let’s not kid ourselves, one team wins and one team loses. However, I also believe that some losses are more honorable than others. For the Jaguars, there was nothing dishonorable about this loss.
No comments:
Post a Comment