Live Oak Defeats Willow Glen in San Jose
Live Oak moves to 3-0 in league play after a decisive victory over Willow Glen.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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Live Oak secured a 24-7 win over Willow Glen on October 23, improving their overall season record to 6-2. The victory maintains Live Oak's undefeated status in league play.
Why it matters
This result significantly bolsters Live Oak's standing in the league rankings as they continue their pursuit of a postseason spot. Meanwhile, the loss marks a difficult stretch for Willow Glen, which has now dropped two consecutive games.
Gage Jones led the Live Oak offense with 116 rushing yards on 21 carries, while quarterback Declan Meehan recorded 194 passing yards for Willow Glen. Live Oak utilized a power-based two tight end offense to overcome Willow Glen's wide-spread approach.
The players
Gage Jones
He is a key running back for Live Oak who contributed significantly to the team's rushing attack.
Declan Meehan
He is the quarterback for Willow Glen who led the team's passing offense during the game.
Justin Svoboda Jr.
He is a running back for Live Oak who scored on a 16-yard run.
Caiden Morefield
He is a wide receiver for Willow Glen who caught the team's only touchdown pass.
Joseph Pizarro
He is a kicker for Live Oak who successfully converted a field goal during the contest.
The details
Live Oak relied on a physical ground game with two tight ends and two blocking backs, while Willow Glen attempted to counter with a spread formation featuring four or five receivers. Touchdowns for Live Oak included a 16-yard run from Justin Svoboda Jr., a 4-yard run by Gage Jones, and a 21-yard field goal by Joseph Pizarro.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Live Oak defeated Willow Glen 24-7.
October 17, 2026: Live Oak secured a 27-0 victory against Sobrato.
Season Trajectory
This win keeps Live Oak firmly in contention for a league title and a favorable seed in the 2026 Central Coast Section football playoffs. Conversely, Willow Glen must now stabilize its performance to avoid falling further out of the competitive playoff hunt.
With this 3-0 league record, Live Oak now controls its destiny regarding a potential division title. Readers following local rankings should note that Live Oak's heavy reliance on power running may create favorable matchups against spread-heavy defenses in future rounds.
The takeaway
Live Oak's ability to impose its physical style of play proved effective against a faster passing offense. Teams looking to mirror this success should prioritize balanced backfield blocking to control the clock and wear down opponents.
What happens next
Live Oak is scheduled to face Silver Creek and Christopher in upcoming games.
Further reading
For more local gridiron updates, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by East Bay Times.
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