Another game means another shutout victory for the Encinal High School (EHS) football team. This time they blanked Piedmont High School (PHS), 26-0, in the West Alameda County Conference (WACC) Foothill League contest Friday, Oct. 11, on the road.

The Jets offense did most of its damage through the air. Senior quarterback David Romero-Reinholz threw for 305 yards on 19-for-37 passing and three touchdowns in the contest. The three main benefactors from his performance were wide receivers junior Keirr Stewart and seniors Teddy Oliver and Isaiah Smith. Stewart caught nine passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Oliver caught five receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Smith posted four catches for 60 yards.

The Jets scored all of their points in the second and third quarters. The Jets’ first touchdown was set up by a 28-yard pass to Oliver that put EHS at the Highlanders’ one-yard line with a first-and-goal. Senior Jezaiah Naigulevu ran it in for the Jets’ first score. Oliver and Romero-Reinholz connected on a 25-yard pass for the Jets second score right before halftime. EHS led 14-0 at the half.

“It gave more energy to the team” Oliver said of the late second quarter touchdown. “I just ran my route and (the ball) was mine.”

Romero-Reinholz continued his hot streak in the third quarter. He threw a 32-yard touchdown to Stewart early in the period. His third touchdown pass was to Oliver and came on a three-yard fade pass late in the quarter. 

EHS’ passing game made up for their pedestrian rushing performance in the contest. The Jets ran for just 93 yards on 27 carries for a 3.4 yard-per-carry average. Smith led the way with 75 yards on 18 rushing attempts. 

The Jet defense was once again a magnet for turnovers. They turned the Highlanders over two times. Naigulevu and junior defensive back Elijah Rodgers each intercepted Highlanders quarterback Cal Burna. Rodgers’ interception led to a touchdown.

The Jets did not play the smoothest game against PHS. The Jets turned the ball over three times. Romero-Reinholz threw an interception, the only blemish on his performance. The Jets also lost two fumbles in the contest. EHS also accumulated 13 penalties in the game, four of which nullified touchdowns.

The Jets record improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Foothill League. All six Jet victories have been shutouts. They will take on Berkeley High School tomorrow on the road in their next game. 

Alameda High
Alameda High School (AHS) dropped to 1-6 overall after losing to Hayward High School (HHS), 35-0, on Oct. 11 on the road. The Farmers did all of their damage in the first half. They scored 14 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second. HHS had a balanced attack on offense. The team threw for 158 yards and rushed for 146 yards.

The Hornets’ offense turned the ball over four times including three lost fumbles. The Farmers’ tenacious defense sacked Hornet quarterbacks 12 times in the contest. 

The Hornets are 1-6 and 1-2 in the WACC Shore Line League. They face Arroyo High of San Lorenzo tomorrow at home in their next contest.