Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing Sonoma County League loss in their homecoming game, the Sonoma Valley High School varsity football boys traveled to Healdsburg Friday night and just five minutes into their SCL showdown they found themselves trailing 7-0.
But the Dragons, who tied the game at 7-7, but trailed 14-7 after yielding a 65-yard touchdown punt return by longtime SCL rival Healdsburg, weren't disheartened by the early deficit.
Sonoma rallied back a second time catch the Greyhounds and knot the score at 14-14 with only 14 seconds left before halftime when junior quarterback Max Yankovich hooked up with senior wide receiver Kyle Dunevent for the tandem's second touchdown pass-play of the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Dragons, stepping up defensively, shut out Healdsburg in the second half, and got a big-time clutch play at the 9-minute mark of the fourth period from standout senior running back Tristan Mertens, who broke loose for a dramatic 97-yard game-winning touchdown run for a 21-14 final.
Including his scintilating, near field-long touchdown scamper, Mertens finished the game rushing for 243 yards on 25 carries.
Also leading the Sonoma gridders were Yankovich's nine pass completions on 17 attempts for 85 yards and two touchdowns of 15 and 10 yards, respectively, thrown to Dunevent, who finished with six receptions for 48 yards; and senior Noe Baron's three kicked extra points.
Sonoma's top defensive play was turned in by senior defensive back Jorge Gonzalez, who came up with a clutch, late-game pass interception to help solidify the win.
The Dragons will host longtime league foe El Molino in their home finale at 7:30 p.m. Halloween Friday, Oct. 31, at Arnold Field – Sonoma's football and cheerleading seniors and their parents will be honored in a pre-game ceremony – before ending the season playing at Elsie Allen in Santa Rosa on Friday, Nov. 7.
Dragons of the Week
The Dragons of the Week in Sonoma’s Friday night SCL road victory at Healdsburg were Jorge Gonzalez, Jacob Little and Tristan Mertens.
Gonzalez, a 5-foot, 8-inch, 170-pound senior defensive back, came through with three pass deflections and came up with a clutch, late-game pass interception to help solidify the win.
Little, a 5-11, 175-pound senior safety, turned in a strong defensive effort with five tackles, three for losses, and five assisted tackles.
Mertens, a 5-9, 150-pound senior running back, carried the ball 25 times and gained 243 yards, including a 97-yard game-winning touchdown run.
The Dragons of the Week are sponsored by Eraldi’s Men’s Wear and Shoes, and Broadway Market.
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