Page 8 November 29, 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Torrance Football in CIF Finals By Kelly Kemp which prevented a sure tackle by North, Both the North Torrance Saxons and West and allowed the speedy player to bolt all Torrance Warriors enter the CIF Football the way for an apparent touchdown and Final in their respective division with wins second lead, but it was not to be. Needless this past week. to say, the visitor stands, which had erupted North Torrance, now 11-2, vaulted to the with glee, were now quieted with disbelief, school’s fourth football final, but it’s first since as they couldn’t see the far side flag in the 2004, by virtue of a 28-14 win over top-ranked fog. After that, Bishop sputtered and North Bishop Garcia Diego of Santa Barbara. rose to each occasion. The first three quarters were extremely North Torrance pretty much kept it on the close, with North receivers failing to control ground for the most part, with T. J. Young catches in the first frame, most likely due (1 touchdown, 29 yards on 12 carries) and to dampness, as senior Quarterback Jorge Jorge Hernandez (2 touchdowns, 31 yards on Hernandez was very accurate hitting his 7 carries) scoring in the second half. targets—they just couldn’t hold onto the ball. All along the way, North seemed to get the It was foggy and wet throughout the game. breaks and make the best of them – four-for- In the second quarter, Bishop Diego marched four on fourth down conversions, two fumble down the field and took a 7-0 lead, but it recoveries, one on-sides kick recovery and was answered in minutes with a similar multiple open field tackles by the defense North Torrance drive, highlighted by two to seal the victory. Senior Quarterback Jorge Hernandez pitches the ball to Corey Cox (28 yards on 4 carries). twelve-yard strikes to Michael Jurado and Next up for North: Nordhoff HS in the Devante Jenkins. Jurado’s reception was a CIF Northwest Division Final on Saturday, fourth down and five, while Jenkins’ leaping December 1st. catch came down in the end zone, leading For West Torrance, now 10-3 overall virtue to halftime 7-7. of their 37-6 win over Atascadero, it’s a At the start of the third quarter, the deep rematch with Palos Verdes High School. With kickoff was fielded by Bishop at the 8-yard West in the CIF Northern Division Final the line. I was at the 10, so had a great view same day, it should be two great Torrance of the receiving team’s block in the back Teams in two great games! • Senior Defensive Back Michael Jurado makes the tackle. Senior Wide Receiver Devante Jenkins leaps to catch and score the tying touchdown before Halftime. Up and Adam from page 6 as they bring home their first championship West came out and put up 20 points in the football trophy in school history. second half led by another touchdown pass west hiGh from Notch to Silverlake and an interception Domination is the only way to explain it. The and return for a touchdown by Notch that West High Warriors have gotten themselves this put the game out of its misery, giving West close to a championship and after their glorious a 30-6 lead. “We knew they hadn’t seen defeat over Mira Costa two weeks ago in the our tempo,” Notch said. “We set the tempo quarterfinals, it is clear that they are not going on our first drive and our defense stepped to let anything stand in their way. It became up and gave us some hope.” That hope will even clearer last Friday night as the team went now turn into a quest to come home with a to Atascadero and came out victoriously with championship ring after next Saturday’s CIF a decisive 37-6 win that brings the Warriors final against Palos Verdes. PV comes from back to the CIF championship game for the the same Bay League as West, and, like first time in six years. Mira Costa, has already beaten the Warriors It was all West High in this one, as the previously this year. The 47-14 loss was the Warriors came out strong in the first quarter third in a row for West at the time, but also led by quarterback Joey Notch. It was Notch woke the team up to get them to where it is who not only recovered a fumble, but then now--an at-large bid to enter the playoffs all on the ensuing offensive possession passed the way to the CIF Southern Section final. to Dane Silverlake for a 31-yard score and “I’m unbelievably excited about being back a 7-0 West High lead right off the bat. After in the championship game,” West head coach a field goal to push the lead to 10-0 at the Greg Holt explained. “We’ve been talking end of the first quarter, Barry Thomas got about it and what it would be like and these his name into the game with a three-yard guys just kept on believing. Now we get a touchdown run and a two-point conversion chance.” The chance that Holt speaks of will to make it 17-0 before Atascadero could be the Warriors’ first opportunity in six years even blink an eyelash. Atascadero would to bring home the hardware. Not only that, then finally get on the board with its first but now West can also exact revenge on yet and only touchdown of the day, later missing another vaunted Bay League rival and finish on the two-point conversion to trail by 17-6 the season having avenged two of their three Senior Running Back Austin Borin (30 yards on 5 carries) sprints around the left end. Photos by Shelley Kemp. at the end of the first half. losses on the year. •
Torrance 11_29_12
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