12
Oct, 2014
Uni snaps Gondos’ 43-game Western League win streak, 14-7
[Posted October 12, 2014] Say hello to the Western League-leading University Wildcats!
Pictured above: Uni coach Lee Lowe addresses an ecstatic Wildcat squad after its 14-7 win at Venice (Photo courtesy University HS)
Uni snapped a 21-game losing streak to perennial league-leader Venice with a surprise 14-7 victory on the road last Friday. The Wildcats also ended Venice’s run of 43 straight wins over Western League opponents.
The upset did not go unnoticed, with significant coverage from the Los Angeles Times and from the online Los Angeles Sports Journal. From Eric Sondheimer’s coverage in The Times:
Let’s just say that Coach Lee Lowe and his players were thrilled.
“I had kids crying,” Lowe said.
“I’m still on cloud nine. It means a lot.”
The last time University defeated Venice was in 1996. Some players were 2 and 3 years old.
Lowe, a former University defensive coordinator, took over the program four years ago.
“I took over an 0-for-30 program,” he said.
Tyrone Nelson ran for 67 yards to open the scoring on Uni’s first play from scrimmage. He rushed for 217 yards in total and scored the Wildcats’ second score on a four-yard run in the second quarter. Venice scored before the half to close to 14-7 at the break.
Uni’s defense held Venice scoreless in the second half. Cornerback Thomas Clay saved the game with an interception of a Gondolier quarterback Robbie Blosser pass from the Uni two-yard line in the third quarter, and Venice never got that close again.
Helmets up! Wildcats win! Wildcats win!
The win moved Uni to 3-3 on the season, and 1-0 in league play, while Venice dropped to 1-5.
Because of the continuing renovation of the Uni football field and track, the Wildcats will continue their 2014 road show this Friday at Hamilton at 3 p.m. The Yankees stomped Fairfax, 45-0, to open Western League play; they are 3-2 on the season.