By Doug Gale
Senior Writer

he football team is off and running this season with a 4-1 record, losing only to an overpowering Palo Alto team.
“Palo Alto is probably the best opponent we’ll face all year, in league or CCS,” senior tight end Drew Rathjen said two days prior to the Eagles’ second home game.
The CCS ranked Palo Alto Vikings outlasted the Eagles 17-0. There were several missed opportunities in the game, including a critical turnover by the Vikings that the Eagles weren’t able to capitalize on.
Palo Alto’s starting quarterback, senior Nathan Ford, threw a pass right into the arms of Los Altos senior linebacker-fullback Johnny Armenta, who ran the ball back more than 40 yards before being brought down within the Vikings 10 yard line.
On 4th and goal from the 4 yard line, Eagles Head Coach Robert Sykes chose to go for a touchdown instead of kicking the 22-yard gimme field goal. The Vikings stuffed Armenta trying to get to the outside, and took over possession and momentum in the game.
The Palo Alto defense proved itself dominant over the Los Altos offense, shutting out the Eagles.
On opening day at home against San Jose Academy, the Eagles defense and offense combined for a quick start, with the Eagles ahead 32-0 at halftime. They went on to win that game 46-6, with three touchdowns coming by way of the defense, including one interception return for a touchdown by junior linebacker Pete Cronin.
“Cronin’s touchdown really sealed the deal for us. After that, we knew we had them down. Then all we had to do was keep on the pressure, “ Drew said.
Then in the second game of the season on the road, at Yerba Buena, the Eagles defense was in full force once again, defeating this opponent 19-12.
In the fourth game of the season, the Eagles devastated a weaker opponent in Monta Vista. The Eagles won in a landslide 35-7, proving once again that their defense is superior.
In the 5th game of the season against the weaker Cupertino team, the Eagles demolished their opponent, 34-7. The game was a shutout until the final minutes when Cupertino pushed to the end zone. This put the Eagles at 4-1 at the end of the first half of the season, well on pace to compete for a league championship.
In 5 games the Eagles have held opponents to just over 10 points a game.
The key to the Los Altos defense is up the middle. With freshman Je’marcus Williams at nose tackle, and returning varsity seniors Robert Herrera and Johnny Armenta playing defensive end and linebacker, the defense is strong.
“We have the best defense I’ve seen in my four years here at LAHS,” Drew said.
On offense the Eagles are sorely missing some key players from last year, including ex-main weapon, quarterback Donnie Ecker. Taking over this year as quarterback is senior Erik Hansen. Erik has just as strong an arm as Ecker, but with slower outright speed, the Eagles turn to power running-back Johnny Armenta, and deep-threat, wide-out James Nicholson.
“Our offensive line does its job perfectly. We’re just playing smart football right now,” senior Robert Herrera said.
“We have a bunch of experienced guys who can provide leadership for the younger guys on the team both on and off the field.”
If the leadership holds up, the Eagles could be looking at a CCS birth. Should their play continue to be overpowering, the Eagles will become the first Los Altos High School football team in a long time to make CCS.