The Buccaneers battled through blurring squalls of rain Friday, Nov. 30, to outscore Madison High 17-14 and advance to the CIF Division IV Championship game at University of San Diego (USD) Saturday, Dec. 8.
The artificial grass at Balboa Stadium by San Diego High was not muddy, but the persistent rain last Friday made the ball seem as slippery as a fish. The 10 turnovers defined the game ” the team with the best ball-wipers won.
“It was getting ridiculous. It seemed to get worse several times,” said Mission Bay Head Coach Willie Matson. “But they played with such heart, so much emotion. I’m sure that was the difference.”
The fair weather during the first quarter of the game produced a duel worthy of playoff contenders.
Then after the rain began, Madison struck first two minutes into the second quarter after intercepting a pass and adding a 50-yard run.
Threatened with a short Madison field goal attempt, Buccaneer Dillon Baxter slanted in to block the kick.
Early in the second quarter quarterback Evan Taylor capped a Mission Bay drive with a 6-yard scramble to tie the score.
The defense had stopped the Warhawks midfield, but a fake punt attempt delivered the ball to Madison’s up-back. Dashing to within the 5-yard line, a stripped ball fumbled into the end zone and was recovered by Madison, resulting in their second and final score.
Defender Nick Croce gathered in another fumble late in the second quarter to give the Bucs the opportunity to move ahead with a field goal.
Carlos Sanchez booted a 37-yard kick with the wind to give the Bucs a valuable edge.
Shortly after halftime, the rain resumed, pounding the field, including several downpours. Midway through the third quarter, the Bucs converged around the Warhawk effort to dig out from the shadow of the goal post.
A slashing Buccaneer tackle sent a fumble bounding upfield where Lorance Davis gathered in the ball at the Madison 14 and spun into the end zone for what would be the winning touchdown.
Madison had the ball on second down at the one-foot line, and the Bucs scratched out a fumble recovery.
“We took away their opportunities,” Matson said. “The defense did a great job.”
Davis earned the “You Rock” player-of-the-game honors.
“Lorance did a tremendous job at corner (back). He played a great game ” I told him to just bat the ball away on pass defense, and he did it ” he made some great stops,” Matson added. “His fumble recovery was a terrific break.”
The 9-2-1 Bucs advance to the Division IV CIF championship game 7 p.m. Dec 8 at USD, 5998 Alcalá Park.
Three other championship games will be at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday while one 2007 championship game is rotated out to another neutral site. This year Division IV is at USD.
Last year the Bucs lost to Santa Fe Christian in the finals at the Q. This year they return to the championship game to face 8-3 Valley Center, who hammered La Jolla 42-0 in the semis.
Athletic program information is available from the school at (858) 273-1313 and Matson at ext. 137.