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A perfect season finally came to an end for the Palo Alto Knights' Jr. Midgets team following a 22-8 loss to Oak Grove on Sunday at Palo Alto High. The Knights will take an 8-1 record into the postseason.

The Jr. Midgets will have a first-round bye this weekend, and then will play the San Francisco Seahawks on Nov. 4 at Paly. Palo Alto already has beaten the Seahawks, 40-6.

Against Oak Grove, Palo Alto dug itself a hole early with three turnovers and fell behind by 14-0 in the first quarter. The Knights finally scored on a 28-yard pass from Jake Rittman to Ty Wilcox. That made up for an earlier TD pass from Rittman to Wilcox that was nullified by a penalty.

The Knights had several other scoring opportunities, but could not execute against a solid Oak Grove defense and an offensive performance of spectacular catches and runs by the Razorbacks.

"We need to play a close to perfect game without turnovers and penalties to beat Oak Grove, and we were far from that on Sunday," said Palo Alto head coach Mike Piha. "I was proud of our effort, to not give up in the fourth quarter after losing our quarterback."

With the Knights driving to score a potential game-tying TD in the fourth quarter -- reaching the Oak Grove 21 -- Rittman was sacked and knocked hit hard to the turf. He left the field and did not return.

"Losing a player like Jake was a major loss for us," said Piha. "He is such a great leader and solid player. It definitely affected the final outcome."

Oak Grove turned back Palo Alto's scoring attempt and wound up scoring a final TD with 1:45 in the game to seal the victory.

"I am assuming we will see Oak Grove in the NorCal Championship in three weeks," Piha said. "Expect a different outcome; we will be much more prepared."

In other games Sunday, the Palo Alto Jr. Pee Wee's defeated the S.F Bombers, 14-6, to earn a playoff spot in Division II and the Knights' Cadets lost to Oak Grove. Both Palo Alto teams play this Saturday at Oak Grove to open the first round of the NorCal playoffs.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

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