Willow Glen Resident
Sports
Lincoln hangs on for big home win over Aragon
By Greg Lydon
It was déjà vu all over again for Lincoln head football coach Kevin Collins.
For the second straight week, his Lions held a small fourth quarter advantage with the opposing team in possession of the football and the momentum late in the game.
This time around there wouldn't be any late comebacks to stun coach Collins' bunch, though, as Lincoln played with more passion and energy from the opening whistle to the very last.
Led by their potent three-headed monster at running back, Lincoln held off Aragon for a 14-12 victory in Saturday afternoon's home opener on a hot sunny day in San Jose.
The Lincoln defense made big plays all day long, forcing three turnovers, none bigger than a leaping interception by Jorge Escobar in the end zone with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter to preserve the Lions victory.
"Anytime you get a win it's nice," Collins said. "The game was won on defense. Our defense played outstanding football today."
Escobar's heads up defensive play stopped a deep touchdown try by Aragon quarterback Sam Tuivailala.
Escobar also recovered a fumble on the opening drive of the game for Aragon.
"We have a lot to work on," Collins said. "Getting out of here with a win is very big though. It feels good."
After a wild fourth and 15 gamble was converted for a 28-yard touchdown by the Dons in the first quarter, the Lincoln defense settled down and the Lions running game began to make its presence felt.
As the game moved along, the Lions offensive line began to wear down the Aragon defensive front. The second quarter belonged to the home team, as Lincoln rattled off 14 straight points to take a 14-6 halftime lead.
Big plays catapulted Lincoln into the lead with a 90-yard touchdown run by Lions sophomore Josh Ayala and another Ayala touchdown catch later in the second.
Ayala took the power sweep off the left side off the line, turned the corner and never looked back. Ayala, who is only a sophomore, jetted 90 yards untouched to put Lincoln ahead 7-6.
After the Dons fourth down touchdown, the extra point try was moved back due to a 12 men in the huddle penalty. After the flag, the extra point try was blocked.
"Josh Ayala played a great game for us today," Collins said. "He made some big plays for us out there."
Later in the second quarter, Lions senior quarterback Nick De Martini rolled out and found Ayala for a big pass play.
The speedy sophomore slipped one tackle, then ran 37 yards for a touchdown to put Lincoln up 14-6 just before the half.
De Martini finished the day with 82 yards passing one touchdown pass and three interceptions.
"We made far too many mistakes out there today," Collins said. "The penalties and the turnovers can't happen if we're going to be successful in the 'A' league."
Aragon marched 61 yards on 11 plays to pull to within two points on the final play of the third quarter, but a defensive stand by the active Lions defensive front blew up the two-point conversion try keeping Lincoln ahead 14-12 with one quarter remaining to play.
With Ayala busting out big plays on the perimeter, bruising backs Alex Ortega and Miguel Ramirez were called on to apply the final touches to the Lions winning performance.
Ortega's hard charging motor seemed to getting stronger as the game went on, racking up 32 yards in the fourth quarter and 79 yards total in the game.
Ayala finished with 158 yards on 16 carries, while Ramirez chipped in 22 more during the big day on the ground for the Lions.
"After last week we were hungry," Ortega said. "I want to thank all my lineman, they blocked hard all game long for us. Our line did a hell of a job today."
Senior defensive back Jordan Jimenez recorded two sacks in the game including a key third and 5 stop to force a fourth quarter Aragon punt. Senior linebacker Larry Haywood also had one sack.