Koett-to-Long combo leads to another Vista del Lago rout, eliminating Rio Americano in D-IV
There was no question Friday night in Folsom that Vista del Lago High School, led by star quarterback John Koett, is a really good team.
Seeded second in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs, the Eagles took down No. 10 Rio Americano 48-7 at home in a quarterfinal for the program’s 10th consecutive win.
A 6-foot-2 senior quarterback, Koett threw five touchdown passes in the first half, giving the Eagles a 34-0 lead. The offense was in sync from the start as Koett fired a 39-yard touchdown pass to junior Matthew Werpy to cap the opening drive.
Koett then had a 7-yard connection with 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior receiver Matt Long on the second drive. Koett concluded the first quarter with another TD to Long, this time for 60 yards. Then Koett hit Long for a 21-yard scoring strike, followed by a 10-yarder to senior Dominic Rostami. And just like that, the Eagles are in a semifinal.
Koett has played football since the fourth grade. He is no stranger to the field or to playing with Long. The two have been teammates for almost a decade. The difference from their time in elementary school is that they have switched roles. Koett was originally a wide receiver while Long was a quarterback. Talk about a seamless transition — one Vista coach described the two as stuck together like glue.
“We just play really well together,” Koett said of playing with Long. “This is now our 10th year as teammates. It’s really cool that we can continue to have a great connection. I think playing together for this amount of time has allowed us to really create a bond, which is why we work so well.”
The two connected for six passes for 121 yards. Koett had 310 yards passing, giving him 2,580 on the season to go with 33 touchdown passes, 16 of those to the Air Force-bound Long. Koett plans to continue his football career in college. He is visiting the University of San Diego in the next couple of weeks but spoke more about his team on Friday.
“I don’t think there’s much we really have to work on,” Koett said with a smile. “I mean, we just need to continue to play at a high level consistently. I believe if we play the same way we did tonight next week, we’ll go to the championship. We just have to make sure to stay focused and not drop off.”
Koett said his older brother, Matt Koett, is a mentor to him. Matt graduated from Vista in 2018.
“Matt was a center, a lineman,” Koett said. “He played junior Eagles all the way through to his senior year. He played in college, and he’s been a big inspiration for me. It’s cool to have an older brother who’s been in the same spot and can help me through things when I need it.”
Vista coach Kyle Landes has coached Koett his whole high school career and is impressed by his growth and confidence.
“Koett’s an awesome player,” Landes said. “The last three years have just been a journey that’s been very enjoyable to coach. Watching him develop in every sector has been really cool. At this point, we know every time we put the game in his hands we’re going to get the guy we need.”
This contest was a rematch from last month, won by Vista, 41-15, to secure the Capital Athletic League championship. Landes said he enjoyed his team’s performance but sees some elements to work on.
“It did go to plan,” Landes said. “There’s some things I’d like us to improve upon. There’s still areas of growth for us. Our goal was to minimize mistakes and get better than the last time we saw those guys.
“Rio is a really good team and forces us into spots that we’re sometimes not comfortable in.”
Vista’s other touchdowns were 1-yard rushes by seniors Ethan Jones and Xavier Bryan. Sophomore running back Jack Cromwell carried most of the load, picking up 122 yards rushing. Senior safety Camden King keyed the defense with two interceptions, giving him eight on the season.
Rio Americano finished its best season in 30 years at 9-3, a credit to coach Reid Sanders. The Raiders’ score was a 3-yard rush by sophomore Trace Kloss.
Vista will host No. 3 Patterson next. Landes is in his third year as head coach and sixth overall at Vista. A former offensive lineman, he graduated from Yuba City High in 2010 and jumped right into coaching. He already knows what next week’s focus will be against the Tigers.
“I’d like us to be a little more physical in the trenches,” Landes said. “I’d like us to clean up mental mistakes and be a bit looser in the third. Honestly, if we can just keep playing the way we are and stay on track, we can continue to win and go all the way.”
This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 11:54 PM.