When two of the oldest rival teams in the Redwood Empire – Sonoma Valley and Petaluma high schools – clash, anything can happen, with the potential for games becoming well-played classics, or turning into erratic, error-filled confrontations.
But which ever way the games bend, there's always the one constant in play – both squads always battle hard until the end, and leave it all on the field.
In Friday night's Sonoma County League opener at Arnold Field, both longtime SCL foes didn't produce anything near a gridiron classic, with the game falling into a turnover-fest with numerous, momentum-stalling penalties which made it evident that the team making the fewest mistakes would win.
With both teams committing drive-stalling penalties and combining for a total of 11 turnovers, it was the Dragons who had less give-aways with four, and were the only ones to reach paydirt, with senior Tristan Mertens finding the end zone on a pair of touchdown runs, with Petaluma leaving town with a 13-5 loss.
Along with fueling Sonoma's offense running the ball – finishing with 16 carries for 184 yards, including a 59-yard run, and scoring on 57- and 4-yard touchdown jaunts, respectively, as well as kicking an extra point – Mertens played his regular strong defense and had an interception to end the Trojans' last-chance drive.
Before Mertens' game-clinching pick, he had six different Dragon teammates come up with turnovers, including two key interceptions by senior Kyle Dunevent; and big fumble recoveries by seniors Seth August, who had two, and Alex Gustafson, and junior Josh Coglizer, who was injured on the play and didn't return.
The Dragons hit the road for the first time this season, and will make a tough trip to Sebastopol to face the two-time defending SCL champion Analy on Friday, Oct. 3.
In Friday's SCL junior varsity game, Sonoma's jayvee boys dropped a close 19-13 decision to the Petaluma jayvees.
Dragons of the Week
The Dragons of the Week in Sonoma’s SCL-opening victory over Petaluma Friday night at Arnold Field are Tristan Mertens, Alex Gustafson and Seth August.
Mertens, a 5-9, 150-pound senior running back, defensive back and placekicker, continued to make big plays for the Dragons, scoring on 57- and 4-yard touchdown runs and kicking an extra point, while on defense he came up with an interception.
Gustafson, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior inside linebacker and offensive lineman, was the anchor for the defense in the middle, making numerous tackles and pressuring the quarterback, and providing run and pass blocking on the offensive line.
August, a 5-9, 190-pound linebacker and fullback, make key tackles and recovered two fumbles, while providing blocking on offense.
The Dragons of the Week are sponsored by Eraldi’s Men’s Wear and Shoes, and Broadway Market.
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