Coast Union falls to Fresno Christian in game called after first quarter
Numerous forgettable, curious, even grim events have occurred on the second day of September throughout history, so regarding the Bronco football squad’s exacting, unpleasant circumstances Sept. 2 — they aren’t the only ones to be star-crossed on that date.
A historic landslide roared down and engulfed the Swiss town of Goldau, taking the lives of 457 people, on Sept. 2, 1806. On Sept. 2, 1859, a massive solar storm wiped out electrical telegraph service in the United States.
In fairness, some positive events occurred on Sept. 2. In 1945, Japan surrendered to the United States six years and one day after the audacious attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the end of World War II, and in 1985, the Titanic was finally (after 73 years) found resting in its undersea grave.
But for the Broncos, coming off a 75-0 loss to Hesperia Christian the previous week, good fortune was nowhere to be found on their pilgrimage to Fresno last Friday night.
Coast Union brought just 16 players to face Fresno Christian, which suited up 34. Several Broncos were injured, and three players — Jack MacKinnon, who started the season at quarterback; last season’s top running back, Alam Ramirez, and tight end Roberto Cueva — left the team following the first week of play.
On top of that, Coast Union’s bus burst a hose that left the team stranded on Highway 41 (in 95-degree heat) about 18 miles from Fresno Christian’s football field. Hence, the game, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., was delayed more than an hour.
When the Broncos finally kicked off (Emany Plasencia handles the kickoff and punt duties) to start the game, Fresno Christian ran it all the way back for a touchdown — but it was called back because of an Eagles holding penalty. That was one of the few positive developments for the Broncos.
On that same opening possession, the Eagles scored a touchdown, taking a 6-0 lead as the extra point failed. Then, on the Broncos’ first play from scrimmage, newly installed Bronco quarterback Riley Kennedy (who only had a couple days of practice at the position) pitched out to Plasencia who lost the ball on a fumble.
The Eagles took over on the 18-yard line and quickly scored again to lead 13-0. The Broncos struggled on offense, punted back to the Eagles, and after a long pass completion for a touchdown, Fresno Christian led 19-0. Soon thereafter, the Eagles’ high-powered offense increased Fresno Christan’s lead to 25-0.
With one minute left in the first quarter, the two coaches met and agreed that that game should be called. They also agreed to a short scrimmage, during which the Broncos’ offense had a chance to practice plays with Kennedy at quarterback.
On Friday, Kennedy led the defense with three tackles and several assists. Spencer Magnuson and Warren Smith each had a tackle and an assist.
The Broncos travel to Laguna Blanca on Friday, Sept. 9, for a 3:30 p.m. game. The game will be broadcast on KTEA-FM (103.5).
Roster update
Coast Unified Superintendent Vicki Schumacher said Tuesday that more boys have been expressing an interest in joining the football team, which could bolster the Broncos’ numbers. Principal Scott Ferguson’s background in athletics — which includes time spent as a tight end with a pro football team in Germany — has created additional interest among the students.
“We have a lot more boys going out for football,” Schumacher said in a phone conversation Tuesday, Sept. 6. “That’s exciting to work on building our team.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 11:06 AM with the headline "Coast Union falls to Fresno Christian in game called after first quarter."