A lot can change in a year.
The Los Gatos Wildcats football team has spent a lot of time this season focused, and determined to take their game all the way.
The Cats chose a theme for the season that would keep them reaching for the top—each and every week.
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"Mission possible," was put on a 12-foot banner, which hangs at every team event, and each and every game.
Half way through the season, the mission is proving true.
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Right up until game time Friday night, pundits and bloggers were hedging their bets on the Palo Alto Vikings, last year’s state champions—to beat Los Gatos by a least a touchdown.
Under the lights of Helm Field, on Alumni Night, the Cats proved all of them wrong.
It wasn’t easy, but with Los Gatos doing what it has done best this season—the passing game, and a tremendous performance by the defense, they triumphed.
Friday’s victory over Palo Alto was a testament to the team’s hard work, and the dedication of the Wildcat’s coaching staff.
Early in the first quarter, Palo Alto running back Morris Gates-Mouton scored after an interception by linebacker Brennan Miller. Though the Cats did not score—the Los Gatos defense held the Vikings to only seven points in the first quarter.
Just barely into the second quarter, Cats senior Garrett Zeiter ran the ball up the middle for a 45 yard TD. The next opportunity for a score by LG in the first half, had the ball at the ten yard line- but the drive ended in a fumble.
At the end of the half, the score stood at 7-7.
The start of play could not have come soon enough for the Los Gatos Wildcats as well as for the LG fans in the stands.
There was a look of determination and focus, about the boys, as they hustled back onto the field, ready to start a second half of ball. They were ready to carry out Mission Possible.
In the second quarter, senior Shane Smith contributed heavily to another Zeiter run, to then lead the Vikings 14-7. But Palo Alto would not go down easily, tying up the game 14-14 in the fourth quarter.
With a minute left to play—and the subsequent punt that left both teams with penalties, LG then punted, and junior Kevin Tjon was hit late—affording the Cats a first down.
Quarterback Bryan Rose threw to fellow senior, Jake Bevans. After a series of runs by Zeiter, the clock was down to 20 seconds.
Would the Cats end a game again in a tie, for the second time this season?
Tjon snapped the ball to Rose—setting up the punt for sophomore Logan Chapman. Chapman kicked the ball 23 yards for the winning extra three.
Mission accomplished, until next week anyway.
The Cats are in first place in the CCS De Anza Division with an overall record of 5-0-1. The next match-up for the Los Gatos Wildcats will be against the second place Trojans of Milpitas on their field.
Editor's note: This post-game story was submitted by Los Gatos Patch reader Tracey Enfantino. We welcome and greatly appreciate reader submissions! Email your photos, articles and videos to Editor Sheila Sanchez at sheila.sanchez@patch.com.