Elk Grove QB duo powers past Conant

Updated: October 29, 2011 4:38PM

The two-headed monster of Elk Grove quarterbacks Dejan Basara and Adam O’Malley proved to be unstoppable against Conant. The Grenadiers’ signal-callers paved the way to a 36-14 win over crosstown rival Conant.

The win gave host Elk Grove possession of the Mayor’s Cup, and more importantly, a trip to the second round of the Class 7A playoffs.

“As a sophomore, it’s just an unreal feeling to be in the playoffs,” said O’Malley, who completed 9 of 15 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Elk Grove (9-1) drove 72 yards on 11 plays to take an 8-0 lead at 6:41 of the first quarter. Basara scored the Grenadiers’ touchdown on a seven-yard run and Fernando Lozano converted the two-point run.

“This is my second game back after breaking my collarbone,” Basara said. “The coaching staff has done a great job getting both Adam and I involved in the offense.”

On the night, Basara ran for four scores and O’Malley tallied one passing touchdown.

Elk Grove essentially sealed the victory by tacking on 14 points to build a 22-0 halftime advantage. O’Malley threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Micelli, and Basara ran into the end zone from a yard out with 54 seconds left in the half.

“Scoring that touchdown was the way we wanted to end the first half,” Basara said about his one-yard run.

Basara added touchdown runs of 11 and 1 yards in the second half.

Conant (6-4) was penalized 11 times and turned the ball over deep in Elk Grove territory when the Cougars were driving in for the game-tying touchdown.

Conant quarterback Matt Cullen (18-for-26, 233 yards) threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mark McNiff. Tom Zidek accounted for the other Cougars’ score on a 92-yard kick return to open the second half.

Elk Grove takes on the winner of Hononegah vs. Harlem in the next round of the playoffs.

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