For the third straight year, the Point Loma High School Pointers have wrapped up their season playing for the CIF San Diego City Championship title.
The outcome was not the one locals had hoped for, however. Point Loma went down to defeat at the hands of Cathedral Catholic High 41-3 on Friday.
“I’m really proud of our kids. They gave it their heart and soul. Cathedral was just a better team today,” said PLHS head coach Mike Hastings. “Our team had a hell of a season. Anytime you finish at Qualcomm [Stadium], your season was pretty successful.”
The Pointers faced a formidable opponent in the Cathedral Catholic team that only had two losses this season in 12 games and a team that ended up fifth in the CIF San Diego Section.
PLHS played the Dons earlier in the season in a much closer contest, falling 18-11, but the boys from Del Mar proved too much for the Pointers in the big game, seemingly scoring at will.
Point Loma was expected to struggle this season, but it was a testament to the team and coaches that they were able to battle back.
With various injuries, including starting running back Matt Arlington’s knee surgery at the beginning of the season ” and a young offensive squad in general ” the chemistry came together.
“It was a great season. I’ve got all my best friends on this team, and we’ve been together for four years now and played really hard. This is where we wanted to get to this year,” said senior Lineman Tim Hannah. “We give strength to each other through all that we’ve been through and the hard work we’ve put in over the years. It’s a great group of guys.”
Hannah was the recipient of the CIF Sportsmanship Award for the team this season, which is given to the player who best represents what the coaches most want to see in a well-rounded student athlete. Hannah has higher than a 4.0 grade point average and is also the student body president.
From all indications, Hannah appears to be the kind of student teachers and teammates love to have around, always positive and hardworking in all aspects of his life.
“This award means a lot,” Hannah said. “I got inspiration from so many guys on this team that it takes a good sportsman to keep winning. It was a huge honor to win this, thanks to my coaches for all their hard work and help.”
The Pointers stayed with their usually successful running game for most of the plays, with the opportunistic Dons defense picking off an early pass attempt to slow down the forward progress. The Dogs ended the day with 142 yards on the ground and only 15 yards through the air, a testament to the strength and speed of the Cathedral defense.
“Three years in a row [making it to CIF finals] is a real accomplishment,” said Hastings. “Our kids had a great run and took this season as far as we could. We made it to the championship game. That’s what really matters.
“Our kids battled their hearts out all year, and I’m really proud of our senior class that’s gonna go out and do great things in life,” he said.
Like many years past, there will be more chances for fans to see some of the seniors play again, this time on Saturday afternoons next fall in the NCAA collegiate system. Kicker Steven Padilla is likely to be snatched up with his powerful and accurate leg, and running back Josh Wade will stay local at San Diego State. More are sure to sign in the coming weeks and months.
“Our goals were to win Western League, then make it to the Q [Qualcomm Stadium] and thirdly to win the city championship,” said senior tight end Mark Aros. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t our fate today. We’re a family. We have a bond that not many people will understand but that pulls us through the hard times.”