http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXHCOTtjNQ
Falcons take Palomar League title in dominant fashion
POWAY – For the first time in four seasons, Torrey Pines will hang a league championship banner. The fifth-ranked Falcons captured the Palomar League crown with a dominant 38-17 win at Poway on Friday night.
“It has been a long journey. Our team has always stuck together and been pretty good together, but last year we were just young,” said Torrey Pines senior Kevin Cuff. “We’ve matured a lot this year and it’s just clicking.”
Torrey Pines (9-0, 4-0 Palomar) beat Poway by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Falcons set the tone on the game’s opening drive, methodically moving the ball down the field on an eight-minute drive capped by a Cuff three-yard touchdown run.
“I think we can run on anyone. Our line is good enough that we can impose our will on anyone,” Cuff said. “We’ve got some mammoth offensive linemen up there and they block all night.”
Poway (6-3, 2-1) got on the board early in the second quarter on a Marcus Diaz 25-yard field goal. But the Titans’ defense couldn’t slow down Torrey Pines, who found the endzone twice on Cuff runs in the second quarter to take a 21-3 lead into the break.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage and they dominated it,” said Poway head coach Damian Gonzalez. “That was the difference – they were able to move us around and when we had the ball they were able to stop us just because they were so big and physical.”
Torrey Pines put the game out of reach after halftime by turning a Poway fumble and muffed punt into 10 points in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Falcons quarterback John Cabot connected with John Wilson on a 15-yard strike to give Torrey Pines a commanding 38-3 lead.
“They’re a really good team, but offensively we were just executing all night and defensively we were just filling gaps and making plays,” Cuff said.
Poway scored two quick touchdowns to make it a 21-point game, but after their second score Torrey Pines ran the final six minutes off the clock. The Falcons won their first league title since 2005 and first under fourth-year head coach Scott Ashby.
“They are without a doubt the best team in the league,” Gonzalez said. “They are extremely physical and fast.”
The Falcons are undefeated with one game left on the regular season schedule. Cuff said the team has viewed each of their wins this season as a “step.”
“We’ve been calling every week a step,” Cuff said. “This was step nine and we’re going onto step 10. It’s keeping us grounded.”
A surprise at the beginning of the season after finishing 10-20-1 the previous three years, Torrey Pines has established themselves as one of the best teams in the section. And Cuff thinks the Falcons still have room to improve.
“If we keep working hard, the sky is the limit for us,” Cuff said. “We have some injuries right now, but we’re going to get our guys back and keep staying focused every practice.”
Torrey Pines back John Wilson (5) carries the ball behind the blocking of Falcons teammate Kevin Cuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXHCOTtjNQ
Falcons take Palomar League title in dominant fashion
POWAY – For the first time in four seasons, Torrey Pines will hang a league championship banner. The fifth-ranked Falcons captured the Palomar League crown with a dominant 38-17 win at Poway on Friday night.
“It has been a long journey. Our team has always stuck together and been pretty good together, but last year we were just young,” said Torrey Pines senior Kevin Cuff. “We’ve matured a lot this year and it’s just clicking.”
Torrey Pines (9-0, 4-0 Palomar) beat Poway by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Falcons set the tone on the game’s opening drive, methodically moving the ball down the field on an eight-minute drive capped by a Cuff three-yard touchdown run.
“I think we can run on anyone. Our line is good enough that we can impose our will on anyone,” Cuff said. “We’ve got some mammoth offensive linemen up there and they block all night.”
Poway (6-3, 2-1) got on the board early in the second quarter on a Marcus Diaz 25-yard field goal. But the Titans’ defense couldn’t slow down Torrey Pines, who found the endzone twice on Cuff runs in the second quarter to take a 21-3 lead into the break.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage and they dominated it,” said Poway head coach Damian Gonzalez. “That was the difference – they were able to move us around and when we had the ball they were able to stop us just because they were so big and physical.”
Torrey Pines put the game out of reach after halftime by turning a Poway fumble and muffed punt into 10 points in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Falcons quarterback John Cabot connected with John Wilson on a 15-yard strike to give Torrey Pines a commanding 38-3 lead.
“They’re a really good team, but offensively we were just executing all night and defensively we were just filling gaps and making plays,” Cuff said.
Poway scored two quick touchdowns to make it a 21-point game, but after their second score Torrey Pines ran the final six minutes off the clock. The Falcons won their first league title since 2005 and first under fourth-year head coach Scott Ashby.
“They are without a doubt the best team in the league,” Gonzalez said. “They are extremely physical and fast.”
The Falcons are undefeated with one game left on the regular season schedule. Cuff said the team has viewed each of their wins this season as a “step.”
“We’ve been calling every week a step,” Cuff said. “This was step nine and we’re going onto step 10. It’s keeping us grounded.”
A surprise at the beginning of the season after finishing 10-20-1 the previous three years, Torrey Pines has established themselves as one of the best teams in the section. And Cuff thinks the Falcons still have room to improve.
“If we keep working hard, the sky is the limit for us,” Cuff said. “We have some injuries right now, but we’re going to get our guys back and keep staying focused every practice.”
Torrey Pines back John Wilson (5) carries the ball behind the blocking of Falcons teammate Kevin Cuff