Sitting just three miles from the entrance to massive Camp Pendleton, a proliferation of American flags can be seen at Oceanside High and in the surrounding Marine-dominated community.
For Point Loma High players and fans who made the 36-mile foray up the I-5 to Simcox Field for a CIF Div. I semifinal football game, their patriotic spirits were stirred. But it was flags of another type that left the Pointer faithful frustrated and disappointed as the Pirates edged the Pointers 28-24.
The disfavored flags were of a solid bright yellow color, and flew not from flag poles, but from the waistbands of prep football game officials. And one of those flags flew during a furious last-minute Pointer drive when a likely game-winning touchdown was negated by one of those flags.
The Pointers rallied for 17 third quarter points to cut the Pirates lead to 28-24, and both teams exchanged possessions and punts until the Dogs mounted their final drive in the last minutes before game’s end. Crossing midfield, the Pointers moved to the Pirate 11-yard line as the stadium clock showed one final minute remaining.
From there, senior wide receiver Caleb Johnson took a handoff from fellow senior quarterback Brenden Torrence, running laterally before he spotted a seam in the Pirate defense. Johnson lowered his head and blasted forward into the end zone as Pointer players on the field and bench along with the team’s faithful followers erupted in celebration, the clock showing only seconds remaining.
But a yellow flag lay on the turf.
Game officials called a holding penalty that was, to many seasoned viewers, including some who later viewed the play on video, “a phantom penalty.”
Ten yards were marched off, leaving the Pointers at the 21-yard line, where Torrence attempted a pass that landed in the arms of a Pirate defender at the one-yard line, effectively ending not only the game, but also the Pointers’ championship dreams as the final seconds ticked off the game clock.
Earlier, the Pointers found themselves on the short end of a 21-7 halftime score, their only touchdown coming on the block of an Oceanside punt midway through the first quarter by a pair of sophomore standouts. Mathew Fa’alele (6-0, 240) got the block, with teammate Davey Folsom (6-4, 300) scooping up the loose ball and rambling for the score.
But the Dogs trimmed the Pirate lead to 28-24 with a 17-point third quarter.
Torrence began the rally, forging a 16-yard path to the end zone to end the Pointers first second half possession.
After a Pirate score, Torrence scored again, this time from one yard out before senior kicker Jaime Medina launched a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter’s final minute.
Much of the final quarter featured possession changes and punts until the Pointers mounted their fateful final drive.
Years from now, players and fans will talk about this game and the touchdown that should have beat might Oceanside.
And that yellow flag.
Seniors playing their last game for the maroon and gold include Torrence, Julius Agho, Johnson, Khamron Wells, Jaylen Griffin, Jarod Huff, Medina, Niko Vega, Cameron Callicutt, Avery Pranger, John Hagerty, Santos Lopez, Brian Kerl, Chester Lopez, Kimo Katashima, Christian Torres, Dominick Cortez, Shane George and Darius Zimmerman.
The Pointers end another winning season with an 8-4 record, including 3-1 in Western League.
That annual success is going to be more difficult to repeat next year, when the Pointers, under a CIF re-leaguing plan, join a league with long-time nemeses Cathedral Catholic, St. Augustine and Madison along with Mira Mesa. The league will be considered the most competitive in the City Conference that includes all high schools in the San Diego Unified School District. The Dons and Saints, however, are private schools that enroll players from throughout the region.