Trojans fumble in Santa Rosa

<p>There were several bright spots in Petaluma High's season-opening football game at Santa Rosa Friday night — scoring wasn't one of them.</p><p>Fumbles, interceptions, penalties and an assortment of other miscues kept the Trojans out of the end zone and resulted in a 13-0 loss to the young and enthusiastic Panthers. </p><p>Despite the score, or in Petaluma's case, the lack of score, the Trojans actually played pretty well in their debut for new coach Rick Krist. </p><p>However, they shot away both feet, along with their chances to score with four fumbles (two lost), two pass interceptions and four penalties for 25 yards. It wasn't so much the number of mistakes as when they occurred. </p><p>One of the fumbles set up the first Santa Rosa touchdown, giving the Panthers possession on the Petaluma 13-yard line. The other rolled into the Santa Rosa end zone for a touchback, frustrating an 80-yard Trojan drive for what looked like a game-tying touchdown. </p><p>That drive came right after a 50-yard kickoff return by Casey Rodd had been nullified by a holding penalty. </p><p>The two interceptions occurred in the second half when the Trojans again looked to be on their way to a game-tying score. </p><p>“We had our opportunities, but just didn't capitalize,” Krist noted. </p><p>“We had some drives that went very well, but then we turned the ball over. There are a lot of plays I would like to take back.” </p><p>Unofficially, Petaluma had 223 rushing yards and quarterback Spencer Neve threw for another 22. Neve completed just six of 22 passes, but that number does not indicate his accuracy. He had at least six passes dropped by inexperienced receivers. </p><p>Unofficially, fullback Patrick Hodges led the Trojans with 67 yards, while halfback Rodd gained 63. The Petaluma running game was hurt when the Trojans' best back, varsity veteran Stephen McElroy, suffered a leg injury and went out of the game in the first quarter. By then, McElroy had carried five times for 45 yards. </p><p>The Petaluma offensive line, a major question starting the season, generally played well, providing room for Neve to operate the Trojan triple-option efficiently at times. Center James Hall anchored a solid unit. </p><p>Defensively, the Trojans also played well, with Hall blocking a pass and sacking Santa Rosa quarterback Kalen Roselli early. Safety Adam Nizibian had the defensive play of the game when he stopped a Santa Rosa drive by simply taking the ball away from Roselli at the Petaluma 14-yard line. </p><p>Linebacker Hodges and tackle Shaughnacey Maley also had strong defensive games for the Trojans. </p><p>Although Santa Rosa had the only score of the first two periods, Petaluma pretty much dominated the first half.</p><p>The Panther touchdown came on a 13-yard darting run by impressive Santa Rosa sophomore Tryee Collins. Collins, who seems to be a star in the making, unofficially gained 48 yards in nine carries.</p><p>Rodd ripped off his long kickoff return following the Panther touchdown, only to have his team waved all the way back to its own 15-yard line by the holding penalty. </p><p>That gave the Trojans a chance to put together the game's most impressive drive, as they marched steadily down field with McElroy carrying and Neve passing. A key to the march was a fourth-and-one blast by Hodges that kept the chains moving at the Petaluma 45-yard line. </p><p>However, like so much that happened Friday night, the drive ended in frustration with a fumble at the 5-yard line that got into the end zone where it was recovered by the Panthers, not only giving them possession, but moving the ball out to the 20-yard line. </p><p>Petaluma started the second half with another impressive drive that again ended unhappily with an interception at the Santa Rosa 15. Another interception quickly followed, and momentum shifted to the Panther side of the field. </p><p>Nizibian stopped one drive with his theft, but Santa Rosa chewed up much of the game's final seven minutes with a 68-yard march that ended with Jahry Hayes in the end zone from 14 yards out. </p><p>Hayes chewed through the Trojan defense in the second half, unofficially gaining 102 yards on 14 carries. </p><p>Petaluma will try again for a first win Friday night at Durst Field against Maria Carrillo.</p><p>Petaluma's junior varsity scored on a safety in the game's closing minutes to win the JV preliminary, 8-6.</p>