Conant wins Mayor’s Cup, deals Elk Grove its first defeat of the season
Conant’s ground game chewed up time and Elk Grove on Friday.
The Cougars piled up 215 yards on the turf and, more importantly, kept the ball away from Elk Grove as Conant handed the Grenadiers their first loss of the season, 21-0.
Conant (3-0) retained the Elk Grove Mayor’s Cup with the victory. The Cougars held on to the trophy against their rivals in the teams’ first meeting since 2019 due to scheduling difficulties.
“It’s really the kids,” said Conant coach Anthony Donatucci, whose Cougars are off to a terrific start. “A lot of these seniors have played for us since they were sophomores. They understand what varsity football is all about, they have been ready for awhile and thus us their year.”
Conant’s Wing-T offense has been getting much of the credit for the Cougars’ success. Donatucci said the offensive line of Nicolas Portillo-Palos, Aidan Viau, Mateo Villegas, Myles Harris and Joshua Chloe, along with tight end Jaiden Thorney, deserves lots of the credit.
“The offensive line sets the tone,” Donatucci said. “We talk about the ‘We For Me’ mentality. The offensive line knows that they have a job to do for us to succeed. But it is all about making sure we’re doing the right things.”
Portillo-Palos, who has been a starter for three seasons said the offensive line wants to send a message.
“I talk to all our guys about dominating,” Portillo-Palos said. “That’s what has to happen. We love to run the football. It’s the best thing in the world.”
Jackson Spizzirri, who had a touchdown and a conversion run to finish with 65 yards, said nothing happens without the guys up front.
“It’s all them,” Spizziirri said. “They are really getting off the ball. We have been running a lot of outside plays. We thought we could run inside and the line stepped up and we were able to. That where I got most of my yards.”
Conant had the ball for just two-plus series in the first half and turned both possessions into touchdowns and a 14-0 lead.
The Cougars went 80 yards in nine plays for their first score. Ivan Haralanov capped the drive with a 6-yard scoring burst to make it 6-0 after the conversion kick was blocked.
On Conant’s next possession, the Cougars went 62 yards on 10 plays. Anthony Burns scored on a six-yard run and Spizzirri added a conversion run.
Conant kept the drive alive thanks to their only pass completion of the game. It was a fourth-and-nine attempt that went for 11 yards from Tyler Marchese to Ty Mickelson.
The Cougars put the game away to start the second half thanks to another long drive. They marched 53 yards in 10 plays, using up 6:48 of the third quarter. Spizzirri tallied on a three-yard run.
Conant’s defense, led by Spizzirri, Thorney, Bryce Bowman and Gabriel Kawalec, posted their second shutout of the season. Troy Marchese and Haralanov each had interceptions. Luca Bolado recovered a fumble.
“They executed their game plan very well,” said Elk Grove coach Dan O’Donnell, whose team fell to 2-1. “We had some opportunities and we just didn’t execute, We are excited to get back to work and grow and get better.”