Neil Tarpey

Times-Standard

MIRANDA - He beat them with his arm and his leg.

South Fork junior quarterback Joey Wittlake completed 18 of 34 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed 21 times for 134 yards to rally the Cubs to a 22-19 win over visiting John Swett Friday night.

It was the first varsity home win for South Fork in three seasons, while Swett dropped its 14th consecutive game.

”I will give a lot of credit to No. 4 (Wittlake),” said Swett head coach Ron Spini. “He basically won the game for them.”

Swett led 19-7 in the third quarter, as a result of two rushing touchdowns by Alex Lazaridis and one by Vernon Bussey, before Wittlake scampered for a 15-yard TD and threw for a 20-yard score to Troy Langley, both in the third quarter.

”His ability to keep a play going and having his legs healthy to escape the pocket allowed receivers to break off routes and find holes in the zone,” said South Fork head coach Andy Olsen.

”I’m proud of our roster of 14 to play a complete 48-minute game and have fuel left in the tank in the fourth quarter and complete the comeback the way we did,” added Olsen. “Hats off to (coach Karl Terrell’s) defense for coming up with some clutch turnovers at some crucial points in the game.” Matt Preciado, Andrew Bernstein, Jared Sherman and Cole Moody each recovered fumbles for the Cubs’ defense.

Langley finished with 10 catches for 146 yards, and four other Cubs caught passes. Sean Stock caught three passes for 36 yards, including a 10-yard TD.

Lazaridis (20 rushes for 158 yards) and Busey (14 carries for 144 yards) had superb games for Swett.

”I think they played really well, but I was very disappointed with our penalties,” said Spini.

The Indians, however, hurt themselves with 13 penalties and four lost fumbles.

Next Friday, South Fork hosts Calistoga at 7:30 p.m.

Neil Tarpey can be reached evenings at 707-441-0579 or ntarpey@times-standard.com.