Scots recover from slow start

And despite missing one of the best players in the graduated Ale Nelson, plenty of talent returns for the Scots this season.

“It’s the same team, just missing that one person (Nelson),” Greene said. “ I’m trying to put last year behind. I’m rebuilding my connections (with my receivers). … But we have to work.”

But 2024 is already showing that last year was last year. Facing Woodside in the Peninsula Athletic League opener at Sequoia High School Wednesday, the Scots struggled in the early going and when Woodside ripped off a 72-yard touchdown run, Carlmont found itself in an unfamiliar position — trailing at halftime.

But the Scots put things together over the 24-minute second half. They tightened things up on defense, the offense found a rhythm and touchdown nine minutes into the second half proved to be the difference as Carlmont held on for a 9-6 win.

Carlmont head coach Oscar Fabic initially was critical of his team’s performance in the immediate aftermath of the game. But as he had a chance to better reflect on it, he was pleased with his team’s effort, considering it’s just the third game of the season.

“There was never a moment I doubted this team. … I have so much trust in this team,” Fabic said. “It was messy. Sloppy, but very scrappy (game). … I’m so proud of the hard work.”

Neither team could do anything with their first drives of the game, with Woodside’s first possession ending on a Samantha Tow interception.

But Carlmont could not take advantage of the pick, moving the ball down to the 6-yard line before stalling out and turning the ball over on downs.

The Scots’ defense did was the offense couldn’t and got the team on the scoreboard. On third down from her own 3, Woodside quarterback Sophia Karer dropped back to pass and was pressured off the right edge by Emily Monteforte, who pulled the flag for the sack.

After a discussion among the referees, it was determined that Monteforte’s effort came in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 2-0 lead for the Scots.

It was the first of two sacks on the day for Monteforte — a golfer and lacrosse player, Monteforte is in her first year of playing flag football.

“I knew Carlmont would be the one to beat,” said Woodside head coach Dan Peterson, who was having to already juggle his lineup with his starting quarterback out with illness.

But Woodside has a weapon it didn’t have last year and running back Mariam Yusuf should help keep the Wildcats in games all season long.

Yusuf finished the game with 112 yards rushing on just eight carries, including the play of the game. After the Carlmont offense, again, failed to punch it in inside the 10-yard line, Woodside made the Scots pay.

Starting at their own 3, the Wildcats had a big play on first down wiped out by a penalty. They did pick up their first first down of the game on a penalty against the Scots, but they went backward again when a reverse was sniffed out by the Carlmont defense for a three-yard loss back to 8.

Facing third and long, Yusuf took a handoff around the right end. A strong, powerful, goal-scorer striker for the Woodside soccer team, Yusuf showed some of the skills that make her a handful on the soccer field.

As she ran into traffic, she swiveled her hips, leaving defenders snatching at air. She burst into the open field and outran the defense for a 72-yard score and a 6-2 lead just before halftime.

Not bad for someone playing football for the first time.

“I really enjoy it. I enjoy the community. I wanted to try something new my senior year. It looked like they had a lot of fun last year,” Yusuf said.

The defensive battle continued to open the second half as neither team could get much going offensively as the teams opened with back-to-back-to-back punts.

But then the Carlmont offense started clicking. Tow picked up 10 yards on a run and two plays later, Ameena Mohammed had a 13-yard gain. An 8-yard run from Greene and a 20-yard hook up from Greene to Mohammed took the ball down to the Woodside 7.

This time the Scots finished the drive, with Tow going over the left side for a 7-yard score. A Greene-to-Bella Wilson completion gave Carlmont the extra point and a 9-6 lead with 13:35 to play.

Wilson then came up with an interception on Woodside’s next possession and the Scots embarked on a long drive. While they came up empty, it took plenty of time off the clock.

Carlmont forced another punt and the Scots then ran out the clock to win their 13th straight game in program history.

Greene finished the game 8 for 14 for 69 yards, while Paige Rouspil was the Scots’ leading rusher, gaining 44 yards on five carries.

“Everyone (in the league) is better this year,” Fabic said. “We can’t just expect them to give it to us.”