Tonight: Sobrato (1-3, 0-1) at Independence (1-3, 0-1) 7 p.m., Independence High School.
MORGAN HILL -- The backstory to today's game between Sobrato and Independence was written last spring after Norm Brown, along with his brother Dan, were not asked to return to coach Sobrato this fall.
Dan later took the head coaching job at Willow Glen, and Norm became the headman at Independence -- which hosts the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. in Blossom Valley Athletic League-Santa Teresa Division play.
"It's much more interesting than a regular game in that regard," said Sobrato coach Nick Borello, who worked with the Browns as an assistant last year. "But it's still another game, and we're going to approach it that way.
"The kids know who they're playing against, and it's not the coaching staffs."
True, the Bulldogs' real opponent is Independence (1-3 overall, 0-1 BVAL) -- and their real goal is beyond bragging rights. At 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play, Sobrato needs a win to keep alive hopes of winning the division and returning to the CIF-Central Coast Section playoffs.
"I believe a lot can be won and lost this week," Borello said. "Two losses makes it pretty difficult. Postseason hopes aren't looking good for both teams with a loss. If we lose three games, we're practically playing for pride."
The Bulldogs churned in one of their best defensive efforts of the season last week at Santa Teresa only to be foiled by a sluggish day of offense. Sobrato fell 16-6 while becoming the first team to score against the undefeated Saints this year. The Bulldogs were shutout until the fourth quarter when quarterback Steven Sorce connected with Christian Turner for a 75-yard touchdown pass. It was Sorce's sixth touchdown pass this season and Turner's first score.
It also gave Borello an outline for success this week.
"We need to pass protect better," he said. "We have a QB that can throw and some receivers that can make big plays when we get them the ball. So, we need to protect our quarterback. We weren't able to get that going last week, but we made a few adjustments in practice."
Defensively, Sobrato spent most of this week preparing for the 76ers' one-man highlight reel, Derek Muaava.
During a 26-21 loss to Del Mar last week, Muaava reeled off a staggering 411 all-purpose yards. The junior rushed for 303 yards, added 33 receiving yards, and tossed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Will Stevenson on a trick play.
"If we stop (Muaava), we'll win," Borello said. "He's a big (FBS) prospect, a good player and a strong runner. The toughest part is bringing him down."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
Although the Morgan Hill Times does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Morgan Hill Times reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Morgan Hill Times in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Morgan Hill Times also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
