Here's something you might be interested in.
Oceanside quarterback Quentis Clark runs the ball downfield
Opportunistic Pirates plunder Helix for six-peat
In the Division II finals, Oceanside’s offense struggled against Helix. But the Pirates’ defense and special teams picked up the slack, creating six turnovers and scoring three times in a 26-10 win. The victory gave Oceanside its unprecedented sixth consecutive section title.
“To be a part of it is just a blessing. It’s an honor. You always want your own, and we have championships to call our own,” said Oceanside linebacker Rene Siluano. “That’s the best feeling in the world.”
Oceanside sealed the win early in the fourth with its special teams. With Helix punting from their own endzone, Pirates linebacker Sam Niu burst through the middle and blocked the punt then scooped up the loose ball in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
“I saw the open gap and I went,” Niu said. “I thought the other guy had [the ball]. I saw the ball and I went full speed for it. I wasn’t going to let anybody get it. That was my touchdown right there.”
The block and scoop by Niu was Oceanside’s second touchdown of the game off a Helix punt. In the second quarter, a high snap went over the head of the Highlanders punter Van Sabin and into the endzone, where Pirates defensive back Devin Taverna was able to corral it in for a score.
“Tonight our special teams were outstanding and they won the game,” Oceanside head coach John Carroll said. “Three phases of the game make a team and when one of them is struggling, you need another one to step up.”
Taverna made a big play just two minutes later on defense, intercepting a Brandon Lewis pass and returning it 46 yards for a touchdown. His two big plays gave Oceanside a 19-7 lead going into the half.
“Coaches put me in the right spot and I came out and made the play,” Taverna said. “That’s all you gotta do.”
Helix opened the second half with a defensive stop and a field goal to make it a nine-point game midway through the third quarter. But the Highlanders didn’t get any closer than that the rest of the way, shut down by Oceanside’s defense.
“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” Carroll said. “And we finished how we wanted to play.”
Exceptional play by the Pirates defense and special teams were enough to compensate for an offense that looked stagnant at times without receiver Demario Coleman. Oceanside’s offense finished the game with only five first downs.
“It’s a good thing we made it up with our defensive momentum, our defensive plays and our special teams,” said receiver Jerry Whittaker.
Oceanside has now won six consecutive section titles in Division II. Carroll said that stat is unbelievable.
“It’s incredible. I don’t know what other teams in other states have done, but I have to think that six in a row is about as good as it gets,” Carroll said.
Now all Oceanside can do is wait to see if they will be selected for a State Bowl Game. The Pirates are in the running for a bid in both the Open Division and Division I games. CIF commissioners will make that decision Sunday.
“I could care less about that. This is what we work all year for; this is what we work hard for,” Siluano said. “State if we go is an honor – but if not it’s a great season.”
Oceanside quarterback Quentis Clark runs the ball downfield
Opportunistic Pirates plunder Helix for six-peat
In the Division II finals, Oceanside’s offense struggled against Helix. But the Pirates’ defense and special teams picked up the slack, creating six turnovers and scoring three times in a 26-10 win. The victory gave Oceanside its unprecedented sixth consecutive section title.
“To be a part of it is just a blessing. It’s an honor. You always want your own, and we have championships to call our own,” said Oceanside linebacker Rene Siluano. “That’s the best feeling in the world.”
Oceanside sealed the win early in the fourth with its special teams. With Helix punting from their own endzone, Pirates linebacker Sam Niu burst through the middle and blocked the punt then scooped up the loose ball in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
“I saw the open gap and I went,” Niu said. “I thought the other guy had [the ball]. I saw the ball and I went full speed for it. I wasn’t going to let anybody get it. That was my touchdown right there.”
The block and scoop by Niu was Oceanside’s second touchdown of the game off a Helix punt. In the second quarter, a high snap went over the head of the Highlanders punter Van Sabin and into the endzone, where Pirates defensive back Devin Taverna was able to corral it in for a score.
“Tonight our special teams were outstanding and they won the game,” Oceanside head coach John Carroll said. “Three phases of the game make a team and when one of them is struggling, you need another one to step up.”
Taverna made a big play just two minutes later on defense, intercepting a Brandon Lewis pass and returning it 46 yards for a touchdown. His two big plays gave Oceanside a 19-7 lead going into the half.
“Coaches put me in the right spot and I came out and made the play,” Taverna said. “That’s all you gotta do.”
Helix opened the second half with a defensive stop and a field goal to make it a nine-point game midway through the third quarter. But the Highlanders didn’t get any closer than that the rest of the way, shut down by Oceanside’s defense.
“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” Carroll said. “And we finished how we wanted to play.”
Exceptional play by the Pirates defense and special teams were enough to compensate for an offense that looked stagnant at times without receiver Demario Coleman. Oceanside’s offense finished the game with only five first downs.
“It’s a good thing we made it up with our defensive momentum, our defensive plays and our special teams,” said receiver Jerry Whittaker.
Oceanside has now won six consecutive section titles in Division II. Carroll said that stat is unbelievable.
“It’s incredible. I don’t know what other teams in other states have done, but I have to think that six in a row is about as good as it gets,” Carroll said.
Now all Oceanside can do is wait to see if they will be selected for a State Bowl Game. The Pirates are in the running for a bid in both the Open Division and Division I games. CIF commissioners will make that decision Sunday.
“I could care less about that. This is what we work all year for; this is what we work hard for,” Siluano said. “State if we go is an honor – but if not it’s a great season.”