Those road warriors, also known as the Point Loma High School (PLHS) football team, hit the interstate again tonight (Dec. 2) as they travel north for a CIF Division III semifinal match to meet an all-too-familiar foe. The Pointers, 9-3 overall and 5-1 away from home, face off against nemesis Cathedral Catholic High School at 7 p.m. in a third-consecutive playoff road game that has seen the Pointers eliminate two league champions en route to tonight’s semifinal showdown. On the line tonight will be the Pointers’ record of four appearances at Qualcomm Stadium in the past five years. The only break in that string was when the Dons defeated the Pointers in a semifinal game in 2008 at Cathedral. The Pointers’ frustration with the Dons dates to 2007 when the Dogs were beaten 41-3 by Cathedral. This followed losses in 2005 (46-14) and 2006 (17-7) to St. Augustine. Some observers speculate CIF officials are hopeful of a Cathedral-St. Augustine matchup in the finals that would likely draw a larger crowd than other possible pairings. The Pointers’ task is formidable, as the Dons, now 6-5, will be shooting for their fourth consecutive CIF Division III title after a blowout 69-10 win Friday over Southwest (El Centro). Tonight’s unusual Thursday game is a result of scheduling by local CIF officials that has tonight’s semifinal winners playing in Qualcomm Stadium on Monday, Dec. 6. A similar schedule several years ago drew the ire of parents, coaches and health professionals concerned about players concealing minor injuries that could become serious, among other issues. PLHS CIF FOOTBALL: THE LAST FIVE YEARS
• 2005 finals: St. Augustine 46, PLHS 14 • 2006 finals: St. Augustine 17, PLHS  7 • 2007 finals: Cathedral Catholic 41, PLHS 3 • 2008 semifinals: Cathedral Catholic 20, PLHS 14 • 2009 finals: Cathedral Catholic 20, PLHS 14