SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Host Cardinal Newman (7-0, 2-0 North Bay League – Oak Division) dominated from the opening kickoff both on offense and defense and won easily in a 49-14 victory that went to a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Cardinals head coach Richard Sanchez took the opportunity to use just about everyone in the victory ad it started at quarterback where junior Jayson Colter started but junior backup Wyatt Knechtle saw considerable action beginning on the second Newman series.

The 6-4, 185-pound Colter finished 11-of-16 for 134 yards and three TDs, all going to Jonah Bertoli. The 6-1, 175-pound sophomore wide receiver finished the night with five receptions for 60 yards receiving.

Knechtle went 5-of-9 for 84 yards and one TD, plus he rushed for a score.

Senior star running back Zach Homan rushed for 187 yards on 18 carries with one TD, but he only played three plays in the second half and 176 of his yards and the touchdown all came before halftime.

Jesse Myers, a 6-3, 245-pound junior defensive end led the defense with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

"That was my first sack and strip ever," said a beaming Myers, who unofficially has 11.5 sacks so far this season.

Other Cardinals players that had an impact on the game were senior tight end Jasper Kemp. He was on the receiving end of the Knechtle TD pass. Junior Jamari Gentry had the game's final tally on an 82-yard kickoff return, plus he had a 42-yard kickff return and a 20-yard pass reception that set up another touchdown. Junior running back Mahdi Camara busted a couple of nice runs and finished with 48 yards rushing.

When asked about the positives of the game Sanchez had this response.

"Our running game is continuing to be effective, and another important thing today is we threw the ball downfield," Sanchez said. "We gave up a cheap one right before the half but defensively it was an outstanding job."   

About the only negative for Cardinal Newman in the contest was they picked up 72 yards in penalties.

Cardinal Newman won the toss, deferred, and kicked off to Analy to start the game. The Tigers looked like they might get something going right from the start. Senior quarterback Jake Lewis completed his first three passes, all quick hitters, plus they picked up 20 yards in penalties. After driving 43 yards to the Newman 28, Lewis three two incompletions and Analy was faced with fourth-and-seven.

Knowing his team was a big underdog and seeing a possible opportunity Analy head coach Daniel Bourdon decided not to try a 45-yard field goal and went for it. Lewis dropped back to pass but Myers was all over him with a sack that forced a fumble that was recovered by standout 6-3, 265-pound freshman lineman Kahlio Vaetoe at the 23 of Newman.

From there Colter led the Cardinals on an 11-play, 77-yard drive that culminated in a 7-yard TD pass from Colter to Bertoli. During the drive Newman faced its own fourth down decision but Sanchez never hesitated, and on fourth-and-six Colter found Bertoli for a 20-yard reception that got the ball to the 25 of Analy. After three rushes by Homan came the TD pass that gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead they never relinquished.

After another sack by Myers and junior linebacker Logan Rodriguez forced a three-and-out on the ensuing series, Knechtle came in and moved the Cardinals 61-yards in six plays. The scoring play came when Homan, who had 55 yards rushing in the drive, outraced everyone 33-yards to pay dirt it to make it 14-0 Newman as time expired in the first period.

Analy gambled again on its next drive but turned it over on downs again after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-five gave Newman the ball back on its own 34. Colter came back in and eight plays later it was 21-0 after he found Bertoli for a 6-yard touchdown.

The Cardinals forced another three-and-out, and after getting the ball at their own 24 Colter was in for one play but Sanchez brought in Knechtle and he drove the team downfield and after he kept it on a 1-yard plunge it was 28-0 Newman with 1:13 left in the half.

From there hit the scoreboard on what Sanchez called the cheap one. On the second play after the kickoff Lewis found Wade Lewis all alone over the middle and the senior wide receiver outraced everyone 63-yard to cut the lead to 28-5 with 38.6 second left in the half.

Newman, however, was not finished. After Gentry returned the kickoff 42-yards to the 44 of Analy with 30 seconds left. First Colter found Gentry for a 20-yard reception, and then after two more completed passes he connected with Bertoli for his third TD catch on a 14-yard reception that made it 35-7 with five seconds left in the half.

Newman got the second half kickoff and Knechtle led them on a seven-play, 54-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard TD pass to Kemp to make it 42-7 Cardinals with 8;22 left in the third quarter.

Analy got its second touchdown against mostly subs in the running clock fourth quarter on a 13-yard run by junior running back Eddie Espinal, but Gentry closed things out on the 82-yard kickoff return.

Bertoli had his first three touchdown game in two varsity seasons but he wanted to talk more about the team.

"A three touchdown night and I'm pretty happy about that but his is about the team," Bertoli remarked. "We have some tough games coming up but as a family we're going to bond together and come together, we're going to get prepared mentally and physically for the battles."

"The best thing about this team is the family," continued Bertoli, who was named the YSN365 Player of the Game. "The way we bond we have just molded together and we all get along so well especially with the coaches too. It's all fun

Up next for Cardinals in Rancho Cotate on the road in Rohnert Park next Friday night. The Cougars lost 35-7 to Windsor at home on Friday. After Rancho Cotate comes Santa Rosa on the road before Newman finishes league play at home against Windsor.

Analy (4-3, 0-2) will need to re-group and prepare for Santa Rosa at home next Friday night.