Piedmont struggles on offense in loss
Piedmont High School’s boys football team struggled on offense in a 20-3 loss at Castro Valley on Oct. 16. The loss dropped the Highlanders to 2-5 on the season, 1-1 in West Alameda County Conference Mission League play.
Running back Rehan Mumtaz missed the game. Vaha Mafi took over lead back duties and rushed for 22 yards on 10 carries. Cyrus Emanuelson completed 11 of 22 passes for 91 yards with two interceptions. Mason Gray led the receiving corps with seven catches for 42 yards.
The Trojans controlled the game, running 47 offensive plays to 38 for Piedmont.
The Highlanders were able to stop Castro Valley on a fourth down at the Piedmont 15 on the game’s opening possession. However, Ezra Rodriguez intercepted Samuelson on the next play to give the ball right back to the Trojans at the 14. Six plays later, William Jenson ran the ball in from the 1 to give Castro Valley a 7-0 lead.
Piedmont then put together a 15-play, 68-yard drive that stalled at the 12. Ben Gerber then kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
The Trojans took control of the game on their next drive, which culminated in a 12-yard run by Isaac Frani. They added a 30-yard field goal by Connor Mazgaloff to make it 17-3 later in the second quarter. Mazgaloff added a 28-yard field goal at the end of the half to make it 20-3. Neither team could score in the second half.
Brayden Lima completed 11 of 15 passes for 162 yards for Castro Valley. Frani finished with 84 yards on 10 carries.
Henry Brennan had nine solo and four assisted tackles to lead the Piedmont defense.
The Highlanders play at Tennyson on Oct. 23.
