December 12, 2006 > Farmers fall in Santa Rosa title game

by Steve Warga

Around the time Hayward High’s Farmers football team headed to Santa Rosa to play Cardinal Newman High, the temperature in Hayward was about 70 degrees; skies were partly-sunny; and a warmish breeze was blowing. In Santa Rosa, the temperature was 51 degrees and a cold, wet, windy front was settling in from the north. The climate change alone may have done them in.

As it turned out, Cardinal quarterback, Ryan Lingle, was determined to extend his personal playoff win streak regardless of opponent or weather. Over the past two seasons, Lingle and the Cardinals are 7-0 in playoff games. The Farmers were merely the latest victims, losing 28-22, a score that did not reflect Newman’s near total dominance in the wet, blustery conditions. “He was able to do what he wanted,” Farmer coach Casey Moreno said of Lingle.

Although Farmers jumped to an early 9-0 lead on consecutive Cardinal fumbles, it was all Cardinal for the rest of the game. Farmer’s ace running back, Troy Evans, only managed one yard rushing in the first half, as Cardinal ‘D’ did the job. Evans did finally break loose for a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, but his now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t performance of a week earlier didn’t survive the trip north.

Farmers can walk tall, however, having distinguished themselves with more wins in a season than any other team in school history. The loss to Cardinal Newman left them with a 12-2 final tally. They also secured the school’s first football title in 27 years. Fans and players will carry many fine memories of 2006.