The Laney Eagles football team squared off against the Diablo Valley Vikings at Laney College on Friday, Nov. 4. The Eagles held a (6-2) record on the season coming into Friday’s contest, while the Vikings were sitting at (5-3) on the year. The Eagles won the game with a final score of 27-24.
Diablo Valley’s quarterback Jordan Cooke finished the game completing 19 of 44 passes for 247 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. His biggest play of the night came on a 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Javoni Gardere, giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead to start the game.
The Vikings running game was extremely limited by Laney’s defense, gaining only 54-yards on 26 attempts. Running back Gavin Cribb, however, turned two of those attempts into Diablo Valley touchdowns.
In contrast, the Eagles running game dominated vs. the Vikings defense, gaining 196-yards on a combined 41 rushing attempts. Jacob Harris led the way for the Eagles, carrying the ball 28 times for 164-yards and a touchdown.
Laney’s quarterback Trevor Anderson completed 8 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown on the night. His longest pass came in the third quarter when he connected with wide receiver Deven Franklin for a 48-yard touchdown.
The turning point in the game occurred with only 2:40 left in the fourth quarter when Laney linebacker Jeziah Naiguelvo intercepted Cooke’s pass, setting the Eagles up with excellent field position. Naiguelvo was all over the field vs the Vikings, amassing a team-leading 12 tackles.
Jesse Manzo utilized the field position gifted by Naiguelvo’s interception, converting a 31-yard field goal that gave Laney a 27-24 lead in the waning moments of the game. Diablo Valley’s kicker Nathan Price had an opportunity to tie the game up with a 50-yard field goal but missed, sealing Laney’s victory.
The Laney Eagles advanced to 7-2 on the season with the win. The Eagles will play their next game on Nov. 12 at Chabot College.
