Senior Tom Almanzo had one of those quarters to remember Friday night in one of the most memorable Elk Grove victories in years.
Almanzo caught two first-quarter touchdown passes, highlighted by a 58-yard halfback option toss from Danny O’Donnell, leading the host Grenadiers to a 28-14 victory over No. 11 Conant.
The Grenadiers moved to 4-0 for the first time since 1981. The Cougars fell to 3-1.
“I think everyone else doubted us, but we believed in ourselves,” said Elk Grove senior quarterback Tim Podulka, who finished 7-for-13 passing for 103 yards and ran 15 times for 66 yards. “Our line did it for us. Mike Detrana, Mike Stencel, Howie Knutson, Eric Hoffman and Brian Liewergen … they won it for us.”
Podulka hit Almanzo with a 19-yard TD on the opening drive of the game. Almanzo (three catches, 97 yards) caught O’Donnell’s toss with 21 seconds remaining the first quarter.
Conant’s loss was doubly painful when senior quarterback Jonathon Kosrow (6-for-9, 77 yards) left midway through the third quarter with a knee injury. Conant coach Dave Pendergast said Kosrow might be lost for the season and will have an MRI this weekend.
