EARNIE GRAFTON / Union-Tribune
Castle Park senior Gilbert Lopez breaks free for a 65-yard touchdown run in the first half of the Trojans' 41-20 victory over visiting Montgomery that clinched the South Bay League championship.
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As Gilbert Lopez jogged halfway across the field and back to the line of scrimmage, head slightly hanging, he couldn't hide his disappointment.
For the second consecutive possession, the Castle Park senior running back had a run of at least 50 yards called back because of a penalty.
Luckily for the Trojans, it wouldn't be long before he'd finally get to celebrate.
On the next play, Lopez took a handoff 65 yards for a touchdown, fueling Castle Park to a 41-20 win over visiting Montgomery and the South Bay League title.
“What a great way to start, and then to have them come back is a sinking feeling,” Trojans coach John Senesky said. “But to have him go back and do it again erases the bad feelings.”
But for Lopez, it wasn't just about scoring touchdowns or even winning the school's second straight league title. After watching the Aztecs (5-5, 5-1 South Bay League) “disrespect” the Trojans' midfield emblem before the game, he said it was personal.
“They stomped on our 'CP' before the game, and we just wanted to prove a point that you don't do that to us,” said Lopez, who finished with 148 yards on 12 carries. “They show no respect for us, so we have no respect for them on the field. We just played hard and smashed them.”
Whether Castle Park (7-3, 6-0) was fired up by the pregame display, the team jumped on top early. The Trojans found the end zone on their first five possessions by establishing the running game and countering with well-timed passes. Three of those touchdowns came through the air on 45-, 32-and 17-yard hookups on senior quarterback Richard Cooper's first three attempts.
“They were doing some things to stop (the running game), and we had to take advantage of that,” Senesky said.
Although the offense flourished, defense and specials teams made it very easy for Castle Park. The Trojans started all but one drive past their 40-yard line.
With the victory, Castle Park advances to the playoffs against an opponent that will be announced today.
The Trojan coaches told their players to enjoy the victory but to forget it when preparation for their next contest begins tomorrow. Still, even Senesky couldn't stop himself from reflecting.
“This is my 41st year of coaching, and this game here ranks as about one of the greatest memories that I've ever had,” Senesky said.
