Nate Bock (18) provides a block as Chris Ramirez (6) runs for a touchdown for Santa Rosa Academy. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Football season ended early for Menifee area high schools Friday night, with all four local teams losing in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs. There were some dramatic finishes and the completion of some outstanding seasons. Here’s a recap:
Fontana 27, Santa Rosa Academy 26
Fontana (7-4) scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a field goal to send this Division 13 game to overtime against the Rangers (5-6). The visiting Steelers scored first in the overtime with a touchdown and PAT kick for a 27-20 lead. Santa Rosa Academy scored a touchdown on its turn, but a 2-PAT attempt failed and the Rangers lost by a point.
Coach Perry Jones was asked whether he considered kicking the PAT to tie the game again and send overtime into a second round.
“Yes, I thought about it, but we had no placekicker,” he said.
“We had great leadership this season. The kids made a great effort and played very well. We just came up short in the playoff game.”
Northwood 16, Liberty 15
In Division 9, Northwood (6-5) rallied for 9 points in the final minutes, beating Liberty on a last-second 31-yard field goal by Dillan Low, ending the season for the Bison (5-6).
Liberty led 15-7 until Northwood scored on a 1-yard run by Caden Jacobs with about 2 minutes left in the game. A 2-point conversion attempt failed, but Northwood followed with an onside kick and recovered the ball, setting up the last-second field goal.
Chris Debose and Nathan Ayala ran for touchdowns for the Bison. Debose finished with 11 catches for 51 yards. Quarterback Julian Gallardo passed for 120 yards.
On the season, Gallardo passed for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dominic Hall was the team’s leading receiver with 20 catches for 455 yards and 5 touchdowns. Gavin Ramirez led Bison rushers with 734 yards and 8 touchdowns.
“I’m very proud of this team,” coach Adam Contreras said. “They could’ve easily given up when things weren’t going our way, but they rallied together to find a way into the playoffs.”
La Mirada 27, Paloma Valley 6
Decimated by injuries, the Wildcats lost their Division 7 game at La Mirada and finished the season with a 7-4 overall record.
The Wildcats were without injured quarterback Josh Gonzales as well as their top three running backs. Paloma Valley trailed by just a touchdown at halftime and struggled later in the game.
“They were a really good team and we were not at full strength,” coach Juan Merida said. “Freshman Eli Riggs started at QB and did well moving the ball up and down the field, but we came away empty four times in the red zone.
“Freshman Askari Richard had another big night with over 150 yards receiving. The defense was stellar outside of two big plays. They forced several turnovers on the night and came up with a couple big stops on fourth down.”
Several players had outstanding seasons for the Wildcats. Gonzales finished with 2,173 yards and 23 touchdowns passing. He also rushed for 420 yards and 4 TDs. Askari Richard finished the year with almost 900 yards receiving.
“Our seniors will be missed,” Merida said. “They set the foundation for the big turnaround from last season and the program is on the rise with our JV going 8-2 and our freshmen completing a 10-0 undefeated season.”
Artesia 24, Heritage 19
Nofotau Sili, injured the week before, returned and rushed for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns in this Division 12 game. Unfortunately for the Patriots, it wasn’t quite enough. Artesia took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never gave up the lead. Heritage ended the season with a 6-5 record.
For the season, Sili rushed for 1,231 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Noah Miltthon passed for 1,605 yards and 15 TDs.
“We took a huge step forward,” said coach Rich McClure. “We doubled our wins from last year. The locker room was great. Academics are outstanding, and we look to finish the semester strong.
“We had a great staff that got everything out of our kids. The parents were super supportive — especially the Hill, Rice, and multiple families that provided pre-game meals, etc. It didn’t finish like we wanted, but we gave ourselves an opportunity, and that matters.”
Santa Rosa quarterback Andrew Sharp on his way to a touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Gavin Vasquez makes a tackle for the Rangers. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Aaron Quesada gains yards after the catch. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Ian Taylor carries the football for SRA. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Rangers quarterback Andrew Sharp prepares to pitch the ball. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
