Hounds Hold On To Squeak Past St. Helena

There was a lot of tension in the Healdsburg looker room as they prepared for their second round playoff match-up with the undefeated St. Helena Saints Friday night.  The Hounds and Saints hadn’t played each other in 48 years. 

Healdsburg’s tougher regular season provided them with the strength needed to to hold on and defeat the Saints 27-24.  

While and St. Helena fifth, the game was played at St. Helena due to their winning the North Central I league championship. 

Healdsburg controlled the tempo for most of game,   Cervantes came into Friday night’s game just 38 yards short of reaching the 1,000 yard mark for year. 

Cervantes' effectiveness was in question coming into the game due to an injury suffered a couple of games ago that was re-aggravated last week.   

Healdsburg scored early in the second quarter on a four-yard run by senior half back Adam Hendrickson.  St. Helena’s offense finally got on track late in the second quarter, driving to the Healdsburg four yard line.  However, the Hounds defense held strong, pushing the Saints back and forcing them to settle for a 26 yard filed goal.

The Hounds defense held strong minutes later, again stopping a potential scoring drive. The teams went into the half with Healdsburg leading 14-3.   

St. Helena closed the gap on a 48-yard touch down pass by junior quarterback Richard Hoppe to wide receiver Pete Delbondio with 8:13 left in the third quarter. 

St. Helena scored again with 3:30 left in the quarter bringing the score to 21-17.  

Tragedy struck late in the third quarter, when Greyhound senior wider receiver Nick Mariani was injured after catching a pass. Reports on the field indicated Mariani’s head hit the turf hard, causing him to black-out momentarily.  Mariani was taken away by ambulance after a long delay in the game. 

Healdsburg, unable to shake the distraction of losing a teammate, stumbled and gave the Saints perfect field position for the go ahead score.  With 10:47 left to play in the game, Hoppe once agin connected with Delbonio for a 20 yard TD completion.  The Saints took the lead for the first time in the game, 24-21.  

However, the Hounds weren’t done for the night.  Relying on strong running by Cervantes andHealdsburg rallied and marched toward the end zone, chewing time off the clock. 

Cervantes closed out the drive with a 4 yard touch down with 4:14 left in the game.  Healdsburg kicker Danny Dillion hooked the extra point kick wide, leaving the score 27-24.  

Healdsburg’s defense once again took control of the game.  A crucial fumble recovery by Mitch Mariani, brother to injured Nick, late in the game ended St Helena’s offensive efforts.  The Hound offense ran out the clock for the win.

Cervantes ended the night with 192 yards on 25 carries.  Opperman completed nine of 13 passes for 71 yards and one interception.  He carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards.   Charlie Conrad caught the ball four times for 36 yards and Richard Grant caught four for 24 yards. 

Healdsburg’s next playoff game will be against the winner of the Saturday’s match-up between Salesian (1) and Valley Christian (9).