Winless Mustangs, Falcons square off tonight

FAIRFIELD — The Rodriguez High football team needs a victory like nobody’s business. So does Fairfield.

One of the two 0-2 teams will walk off the field disappointed tonight as the Falcons and Mustangs meet on the latter’s Coach Ed Hopkins Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s real big, it’s almost like a rivalry,” Fairfield coach Jack Canavesio said. “They’re more of a rival than Armijo. Both of us have no wins right now. We’re trying to get the kids on the same page.”

That’s especially true for Rodriguez and first-year coach Jason Ott, whose team appeared poised for a victory at Las Lomas of Walnut Creek last week before lightning midway through the second quarter on Friday forced the postponement of the game’s conclusion to Saturday.

Given an extra day to make adjustments, the Knights came away with a 28-14 win after trailing 14-12 at the half.

“I thought the kids played well,” Ott said. “They fought from beginning to end. We need to learn stay together. If we win, we win together. If we lose, we lose together.

“We’re looking forward to playing Fairfield. Our kids know those kids, they’ve gone to school with them. As a program we want to pride ourselves as being one of the top programs in Fairfield. We want to take that first step (tonight).”

Despite the Mustangs dropping their first two games, Canavesio’s impressed with tonight’s opponent.

“They are a decent team,” the coach said. “They run the ball well. Passingwise, they’re having a little bit of trouble. Defensively, they’ve got a good scheme. Like us they’re not stopping anybody right now. We’re trying to change up a few things defensively. I’ll probably be using my normal (offense).”

Ott, who coached the 2007 Fairfield junior varsity team to a 9-1 record and a win over Rodriguez, is mostly concerned with his team improving.

“Whats important for us is to stay disciplined on defense and know our assignments and rally to the ball,” Ott said. “The key offensively is to control the tempo of the game, make them defend us sideline to sideline while we’re trying to work end zone to end zone.

“The biggest thing for us is not to let emotions take over. It’s the first home game, it (runner-up for the) KCRA Game of the Week. We just need to stay within ourselves, play our game and not get caught up in the game.”

Thus far, easier said than done for both teams.

Reach Paul Farmer at 425-4646 Ext. 264 or pfarmer@dailyrepublic.net.

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Posted by Paul Farmer on Sep 15 2011.

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