Carmel Valley’s TPHS Falcons win first playoff game

By Gideon Rubin

Football:

Torrey Pines’ amazing regular season run that got the Falcons to the playoffs as a No. 2 seed was a testament to nearly flawless execution. Their Nov. 26 Div. I quarterfinal against Carlsbad turned out to be a test of the Falcons grit, and they passed, flying colors.

Torrey Pines overcome a 16-point deficit in a 20-16 victory that sends the Falcons to their first semifinal appearance since 2005, when they went to the finals.

John Wilson rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries to lead the Falcons.

Kevin Cuff rushed for 69 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries, and quarterback John Cabot was 5-for-10 passing for 72 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Hunter Shigley led the Falcons receiving corps with three receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown.

The Falcons trailed 16-0 late in the first half when Cuff scored from the 1 to make it 16-7.

Wilson scored on a 66-yard run late in the third quarter to close the Falcons to within 16-14.

The Falcons scored the game-winner via the airwaves, when Cabot completed a 46-yard scoring pass to Cabot with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

The Falcons improved their overall record for the season to 10-1. They were scheduled to play Vista (10-1) on Dec. 2.

Cathedral Catholic left nothing to chance in a 69-10 trouncing of Southwest of El Centro in a Div. III quarterfinal on Nov. 26.

Jonny Martin rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Dons, and Chance Early scored three touchdowns and caught three passes for 96 yards.

Dons Quarterback Garrett Bogart was 5-for-7 passing for 113 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and Szongaia Brown rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on five carries,

Russell Reeder led the Dons defensively with eight tackles.

The Dons improved their overall record for the season to 6-5 as they advanced to within one victory of a chance to defend their three straight sectional titles. They were scheduled to face Point Loma of San Diego (9-3) on Dec. 2.

Ground-oriented Santa Fe Christian went pass-happy, and it worked out just fine in a 63-35 trouncing of Coronado in a Nov. 26 Div. IV quarterfinal.

Connor Moore completed five of seven pass attempts for 195 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Moore was just as effective with his feet, rushing for 146 yards on six carries.

Jarrod Watson-Lewis rushed for 93 yards on eight carries and Austin Knoth rushed for 74 yards on nine carries.

Josh Estill led the Eagles defensively with 10 tackles and two sacks.

The Eagles improved their overall record for the season to 7-4. They were scheduled to play Valley Center (11-0) on Dec. 2.

Volleyball:

Cathedral Catholic made easy work of Campbell Hall of North Hollywood in a 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 25-11) Southern California regional semifinal victory on Nov. 27.

The Dons were led by Taylor Milton, who had 14 kills and eight blocks.

Morgan Cormier added nine kills and Kristen Whitous contributed eight kills.

Dons setter Jaclyn Williamson had 31 assists.

The win followed a lopsided 3-0 (25-9, 25-8, 25-4) first-round win against Firebaugh of Lynwood on Nov. 23.

The Dons improved their overall record for the season to 30-8.

Cathedral Catholic was scheduled to face Canyon Crest Academy in a Nov. 30 regional final in a rematch of the San Diego Section Div. III title match.

The Ravens advanced to within one victory of a state title appearance after a dramatic 3-2 (25-14, 22-25, 22, 25, 25-20, 15-13) comeback victory over Chadwick of Palos Verdes Peninsula in a Nov. 27 regional semifinal.

Samantha Cash led the Ravens with 37 kills and five blocks, and Aline Valiengo added 13 kills.

The Ravens improved to 33-7 overall for the season.

Santa Fe Christian defeated Central Valley Christian of Visalia 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23) in a Div. IV regional semifinal on Nov. 27.

Annie Francis led the Eagles with 16 kills and Katelyn Cuff added nine kills.

The Eagles improved their overall record for the season to 25-12.

Cross country:

Torrey Pines standout Alli Billmeyer placed third in the state meet’s Div. I race at Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 27.

Billmeyer ran the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes and 25 seconds, shaving some 21 seconds from last year’s performance, when she placed fifth.

Billmeyer placed ahead of rival Molly Grabill of Rancho Bernardo (17:31), who finished sixth.

Simi Valley freshman phenom Sarah Baxter won the race in a stunning 16:57, some 27 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

In the boys’ circuit, Torrey Pines’ Matt Carpowich placed ninth (15:11).

Cathedral Catholic had strong showings in the boys’ and girls’ circuits, placing in the top five as a team in both Div. III heats without any individual placing in the top 10 in either race.

Thomas Valente (15:44) placed 15th to lead the boys’ team.

The girls’ team was led by Kaitlin Krol (18:31) and Christine Kent (18:53), who placed 16th and 29th, respectively.