Torrey Pines varsity repeats last-minute win at homecoming

It was homecoming at Ed Burke field when the Falcons hosted the El Camino Wildcats, and the homecoming king announced at halftime was none other than quarterback Ben Spitters.

So it was fitting that just as in the previous week against Oceanside, Spitters led his team to a come-from-behind victory in the final minute of the game. It was an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Torrey Pines had more offense, 250 yards versus 192 for El Camino, but also lost two fumbles. Both teams struggled to make sustained drives, thwarted either by the other’s defense or by penalties, but striking quickly on big plays.

The Falcons got on the board first. After a tackle by Jared Rosen and then a big sack, El Camino had to punt from their 15, giving Torrey Pines excellent field position near midfield. Jacob Montes ran 26 yards and kicker Luc D’Arcy split the uprights from 42 yards to make the score 3-0.

As the second quarter got underway, the Wildcats blocked another field goal attempt and then drove downfield, scoring on a 26-yard run to go ahead 7-3. Torrey Pines came back 80 yards with Matthew Feeler running 27 and 35 yards, scoring a touchdown. Falcons 10-7.

In the third period, a fumbled punt return gave El Camino the ball on the Falcon 44. They moved down to the 3 but couldn’t punch it in, settling for a field goal to tie the game. Another fumble set up the Wildcats on the Falcon 23 and things looked bleak. But the Falcon defense held firm, defensive back Beau Morgans prevented a completion on 3rd and 19, and El Camino settled for another field goal. Wildcats 13-10.

With under two minutes in the game on his own 38, Spitters looked for receivers as the pass rush closed in. He got the pass away as he was being hit, dumping it off to Feeler, who took it 13 yards for a vital first down. Spitters hit Feeler again for 19 yards, Michael Gadinas for 19 yards, and Gadinas for 7 yards, making it second and 3 from the Wildcat 9-yard line with 17 seconds left on the clock.

It was Spitters to Gadinas in the end zone, another D’Arcy extra point, and Torrey Pines took the win 17-13.

This week, the Falcons play at Mt. Carmel.