Arroyo slogs through mud to win Helmet

Oakland Tribune, Nov 1, 2008 by Michael Bower

SAN LORENZO -- It's safe to say Marc Kendig and the Arroyo High football team enjoy playing a little mud football.

Kendig and the Dons repeated their spectacular rainy day performance from a year ago, beating crosstown rival San Lorenzo 12- 6 Saturday in the annual Helmet Game.

The Dons (5-3, 3-2 HAAL) retained the Helmet for the third straight year and the 11th time in the last 14 years.

Arroyo also kept its slim playoff hopes alive with the Hayward Area Athletic League victory.

The rainstorm turned the natural-grass field at San Lorenzo High into a muddy, slippery surface, but that wasn't a problem for Kendig.

The senior, who rushed 24 times for 197 yards in last year's thunderstorm win over Tennyson, pounded his way for 161 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown run to put the Dons ahead for good, 12- 6, just before halftime.

"It was really tough and slippery out there," Kendig said. "We just pounded the football. That's the Arroyo style."

There were a combined 14 fumbles in the game -- nine by Arroyo. But the Dons lost just one fumble, which led to San Lorenzo's only score.

The Rebels' Tevita Mafi recovered a fumble on a punt attempt by Arroyo at the Dons' 5-yard line at the end of the first quarter.

Three plays later, tailback Joshua Wright scored from four yards out to tie the game at 6 with 10:12 to go before halftime.

That would be the only score of the game for the Rebels, who were never able to get the big play to put them in position to score again.

"I think we were one or two blocks away from busting a big play," San Lorenzo coach Jacob Wright said. "We moved the ball well, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities we had."

Arroyo held San Lorenzo (3-5, 1-4) to just 119 yards in the game. The weather hindered any passing either team could do.

Arroyo attempted just two passes, while San Lorenzo attempted seven passes and was only able to complete one.

"We like to do play action when our run is having success," Wright said. "We couldn't throw the ball in that weather."

The second half turned into a battle of field position. Arroyo won that battle, as the Rebels' average starting field position was their own 35.

Wright led San Lorenzo with 52 yards on 16 carries.