Dons advance in playoffs

Cathedral Catholic advanced in the CIF playoffs with a convincing first round win over arch rival Torrey Pines Falcons, 45-7. The Dons maintain their unbeaten record now 11-0 as they move to second round playoffs Nov. 25, playing at Mission Hills who edged Grossmont 49-48 in first-round playoffs.

The first play of the game was a bleak harbinger for the Falcons as a swing pass was intercepted by an alert Moroni Anae stepping in front of the receive at the sideline. Five plays later Adam Eastwood carried into the end zone to put the Dons ahead 7-0. Torrey Pines answered with a sustained drive capped by a Luke Duerr touchdown run to tie.

Cathedral was driving towards another score when a big sack by Michael Gadinas halted them. A long 40-yard field goal by Liam King gave consolation and put Cathedral ahead again 10-7. As the second quarter opened, Cathedral put together a long drive behind the running of Jordan Genmark Heath, receptions by Antoine Lee, and the running and passing of senior quarterback Tate Haynes.

Three times they converted on fourth down, entirely confident in their Wing T offense - a mirror of Torrey Pines’ own but with an advantage in size across the line. Dons 17-7. As the half wound down Cathedral converted on 4th and 9 and punched it in again to go up 24-7.

On 4th and 14 from the Falcon 34, Cathedral lined up in split formation and converted with a pass to Eastwood. Lee caught the touchdown pass to make it 31-7. The Falcons lost a fumble and Cathedral took over deep in Falcon territory. With receivers covered and a fierce pass rush, Haynes displayed his scrambling ability to pick up a first down and then hit Jack Thompson for the score. 38-7. In the fourth quarter the Dons added another score 45-7. A final Torrey Pines drive was thwarted by a sack and fumble.

Cathedral would seem to have the advantage against Mission Hills who fell to Torrey Pines in regular season play 33-14.