November 28, 2006 > Trojans advance to CCS championship game

by Biff Jones

The Milpitas Trojans, having tied for third during the regular season in the tough De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, advanced to the finals of the Large School Division of the Central Coast Section’s (CCS) football playoffs.  They did it with an impressive 47-6 semi-final victory over the Santa Teresa Saints of San Jose last Friday, November 24 at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.  Milpitas came into the game seeded seventh in the eight team field and improved its record to 8-4, while Santa Teresa was the number two seed and finished its season with a record of 9-3.

The Trojans, led by their all-conference senior quarterback, Brandon Carswell, took a first quarter lead of 14-6 and never looked back.  At the start of the second quarter Milpitas was third and goal inside the Saints’ one yard line where Carswell was stopped for no gain on a quarterback sneak.  On fourth down, Carswell attempted to dive over the line of scrimmage, and, with the help of a push from behind from one of his own teammates, was able to break the plane of the goal line for the touchdown.  Fortunately for the Trojans, the apparent illegal assisting the runner penalty which is 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, was not flagged and Milpitas increased their lead to 21-6.

Later in the quarter, aided by the strong running of teammate Havelock Pomele, Carswell hit wide receiver Anthony Royall with a 20 yard scoring pass.  The extra point was missed and Milpitas led 27-6.  With 0:47 left in the first half, Carswell broke loose for a fantastic 46 yard run down the left sideline breaking several tackles along the way to put the Trojans up 34-6 at the break as Greg Villasenor converted the PAT.  Pomele, as he did all game long, administered a crushing block to spring Carswell.

Santa Teresa tried to get back into the game when they recovered their own onside kick at mid-field to start the third quarter.  Two plays later the Saints comeback hopes were dashed as they fumbled the ball.  The Trojans picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Saints’ eleven yard line.  On third down from the eleven, Carswell found wide receiver Tyler Dimich for yet another TD pass.  The PAT was again missed and the score was now 40-6.

On the ensuing kick-off, Josh Uribe returned the ball 36 yards to the Saints 48 yard line. Santa Teresa followed the return by attempting a halfback pass.  The play was well conceived but the Saints’ tight end, Stephen McIntyre, was unable to come up with the reception.  The Trojans and Saints played strong defensive football the remainder of the third quarter and the quarter ended 40-6.

The final scoring play of the game came with 6:41 to go in the fourth as Trojan running back DJ Miramontes took it in from fourteen yards out.  This time Villasenor converted the PAT to make the final score 47-6.

Milpitas will play for the Large School Division Championship of the CCS against Piedmont Hills of San Jose next Saturday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m.  The site will be San Jose City College, 2100 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose.  Piedmont Hills entered the playoffs as the number eight seed in the Large School Division and tied for third in the equally tough Mount Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.  They improved their record to 7-5.