Liberty Lions Defeat Castro Valley Trojans 28-21

Written by Isaura Ochoa

The Castro Valley Trojans hosted the Liberty Lions in what turned out to be a head to head game on Friday, Sept. 20. With an extremely good turnout of family and friends for both teams the competitive attitude filled the stadium. 

Castro Valley started the game kicking off to Liberty at 7:06 p.m.

Both teams started strong however within the first five minutes Liberty's #12 Ivan Oseguera rushes 12 yards through Castro Valley's defense making the first touch down of the game. The kicker #19 Anthony Martinez then succeeds taking the PAT (Point after touchdown). 

Castro Valley maintained the intensity and with only four minutes left in the quarter Junior #3 Kevin Galvan with a three-yard rush and Junior #27 Dane Clemonson with the PAT managed to end the first quarter at a 7-7 tie.

As the starters rush into position to begin the second quarter, both teams maintain a level of concentration that sweeps over the fans. Both sides than begin to chant for their team causing a back and forth notion of "Let's go Trojans, lets go!!" versus "Lets go lions, lets go!!" 

As the players feel the unlimited support of their fans, #18 Alex Espinoza completes a three-yard rushing touchdown leaving #19 Anthony Martinez to the PAT once again. 

Liberty takes the lead 13-7 within the first five minutes of the second quarter. 
Castro Valley maintains their focus and soon after with four minutes to go in the second quarter Junior #6 Namane Modise takes a break away and rushes 10 yards into the touch down area. Castro Valley's remaining PAT is good tying up the game at 14-14. 

The game, though already intense, begins to fire up as Castro Valley continues to 
capitalize on their mistakes and reassert themselves in the game by continually catching up to Liberty on the score board. 

However within a minute after Castro Valley touch down Liberty pushes for a lead. Liberty's #19 Cody Maghuyop takes a nine-yard touchdown and Liberty's star kicker Anthony Martinez finishes the PAT ending the first half with a lead, Liberty 21 Castro Valley 14. 

Half time was called at 8:04 p.m.

During half time the cheerleaders and school band maintained a high school spirit as they played and performed for the fans. 

Brittany Bracy, a freshman at Castro Valley High School said, "I like how there is always a lot of people and that the cheer team performs." 

Cameron R. senior at CVHS and member of the high school band mentioned that there is a specific area termed as "The Trojan Den" where most of the students sit in support of the team. 

"A lot of students like to come watch the game and have a good time," said Dulce Garcia a freshman at CVHS. 

The Trojan Den is located at the far left corner of the Castro Valley side bleachers. 

To start the third quarter Liberty kicks off to Castro Valley giving them possession. As the quarters intensity continues both teams maintain a good sportsmanship personality. 

Six minutes into the third quarter Castro Valley manages to complete a touchdown as well as a successful PAT and ending the third quarter with a 21-21 tie. 

With only one quarter left and a tie in the game the anxiousness of the fans became obvious nonetheless they continue to cheer in support. 

The fourth quarter starts and six minutes in Liberty takes the lead of 27-21. #18 Alex Espinoza completes a touchdown making it his second touchdown of the game and with the help of the kicker Anthony Martinez the PAT they gained maximum points. 

With only four minutes to spare Castro Valley was not able to come back from this last touchdown making the final score Liberty 28 and Castro Valley 21. 

With Liberty's 3-0 record versus Castro Valley's 1-2 record, predictions were against Castro Valley and though Castro Valley did suffer another loss, credit could be given to the players for continually catching up to the undefeated Liberty Lions throughout the whole game. 

This game now leaves Castro Valley with a 1-3 record however they will have an 
opportunity to advance at this Friday’s game when they will be playing Freedom HighSchool, also with a 1-3 record.