LIVERMORE — The win couldn’t be any sweeter for Granada.
After starting the year 2-4 and under the guidance of a first-year head coach, the Matadors won their first league title since 2018 on Friday night.
The cherry on top: They did it against their biggest rivals.
In comeback fashion, Granada defeated Livermore 28-27 to win the East Bay Athletic League Valley Division crown and capture the Livermore city title for the 16th time since 2004.
“This win means everything,” said Granada receiver Damien Miles. “We’re going to the (section) playoffs. We’re city champs. There’s nothing more you can say.”
Running back Estevan Duarte was spectacular in the win, totaling 95 yards rushing and two touchdowns while also catching four passes for 56 yards. Quarterback Jack Badger 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards and rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m just so darn proud of these kids,” said Granada coach Brandon Black. “You know, there were some highs and lows in that game, and they just stayed the course and stayed in it. At halftime, they still had a positive attitude, even though we were down. They just continued to fight and I’m so dang happy for them.”
The emotions of the game showed early on.
Livermore was looking to win its first league title since 1993 and was eager to do it on its rivals home field.
Four personal foul penalties were called between the two teams in the first half, and even prompted a referee to tell coaches that their teams needed to “stick to football.”
Despite the early penalties, Livermore’s offense dominated the first 15 minutes of the game.
The Cowboys put the first points on the board when running back Kamarri Robinson scored on a four-yard rush in the first quarter. After AJ Carey picked off a Granada pass to set up Livermore in the red zone, Robinson scored his second touchdown of the half on a 2-yard plunge, giving the Cowboys 13-0 lead early.
Robinson ended Friday’s game with 101 yards on 20 carries.
But Granada found its groove later in the second quarter.
Badger capped off a seven-play, four-minute drive with a 9-yard sweep into the end zone. Livermore responded with a score on its next drive, but Granada drove the ball 80 yards in two minutes, ending with a one-yard direct snap score from running back Cody Phillips.
At halftime, Livermore led 20-14.
The Cowboys looked like they were going to run away with the game early in the third quarter.
Quarterback Matteo Lortie successfully fooled the Granada defense on a run-pass option play and found wide receiver Ct Harper for a 10-yard touchdown that put the Cowboys up 27-14 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.
With the game and the league title in the balance, Granada leaned on its playmakers to get back in the game.
The Matadors responded with a nearly eight-minute drive that ended with Duarte scoring on a one-yard plunge to start the fourth quarter.
Granada forced a crucial three-and-out on Livermore’s next possession, and got the ball back with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Livermore’s defense looked to have put Granada in a tough spot as the Matadors were faced with a fourth-and-one near their own end zone. With their backs against the wall, Badger made one of the biggest plays of the night as he took a direct snap 76 yards that eventually led to a Duarte three-yard score, giving Granada a 28-27 lead with just over five minutes left.
On the kickoff, Granada went with a gusty decision to try an onside kick but it was recovered by Livermore and the Cowboys started the drive with great field position.
Livermore’s offense marched down the field and continued to edge closer to the Granada red zone. But that’s when Miles made sure Granada was going to bring home the league title.
Miles forced a Livermore fumble on a third down run and linebacker Hayden Hobbs recovered, sealing the game, city title and league crown for Granada.
“I hit the ball,” Miles said. “I saw him running with the ball and I punched it out. … We knew we had to stop those boys to win the game. It was our game.”
Hobbs added, “I saw that ball coming out because I was trailing my back hip. I saw the ball hit the floor and I just laid out. Luckily it landed right in my stomach. I covered it up. And, I mean, it was just amazing.”
Despite having a two-score lead in the second half, Livermore coach John Wade said his team needed to execute better in crunch time.
“The number of possessions were limited in the second half,” Wade said. “Anytime you only have a few possessions in the second half, you have to make the most of them. And we stalled a couple times, so it’s just too bad.”
As the clock hit zeroes, Black was mobbed by his coaching staff and team. Granada proudly raised the city trophy and paraded it around its fans and student section.
With all that was on the line on Friday, the win meant more to a Granada team that had to take its lumps early in the season.
The Matadors started the year with a blowout loss to Monte Vista and had two more big defeats against California and San Ramon Valley. But the Matadors stayed resilient.
“This win is great,” Badger said. “We have a new coaching staff this year, so it’s been great to give them something.”
Granada will celebrate this win, but the team will have to refocus for another big game next week when the North Coast Section playoffs start.
“Tomorrow, we’re just going to wake up and get back to work,” Duarte said. “We just got to pretend like it’s another regular season game.”
