It was a close – too close – at least for comfort.
It was a close – too close – at least for comfort.
With nine seconds left to play, the Centurions struck for the game-winning touchdown, completing their rally in the fourth quarter on Thursday, Oct. 24. Quarterback Nick Buras took the snap and made the throw, connecting with running back Joe Chavez for a 1-yard pass to score on fourth down. Their effort awarded the Centurions with a 32-31 victory in Empire League action at Bolsa Grande High in Garden Grove.
Neither Cypress nor Pacifica will win the league crown this year, especially with Yorba Linda still in possession of a perfect record – both overall and in league – this year.
The Centurions (5-2, 2-2) did keep their playoff dreams alive – at least for another week – by snapping a two-game losing skid.
Cypress High’s Quentin Pounds, who played outstanding both ways, delivered a remarkable performance – perhaps his best from this season. He used practically every part of his body to score touchdowns, rushing for one, throwing for another and catching two more.
Pounds would finish with an interception. He did not return it for a pick six, but this defensive gem setup a touchdown drive.
Pounds would end with six catches for 134 yards as well as 18 touches for 77 yards. He caught the first touchdown pass of the game, which Buras threw for a 24-yarder in the first quarter. Buras completed 8 of 15 for 153 yards.
The Mariners (2-7, 1-4) dropped a third consecutive game and stumbled deeper into the cellar of the league standings. Quarterback Nick Howard made 14 of 27 passes for 205 yards. He also scored three touchdowns: two from the ground and one from the air.
Pacifica’s Trever Brown, who tallied 88-rushing yards, notched a 10-yard touchdown and tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter. Howard then ran a 3-yard score to take a 14-7 lead. Unfinished, Howard continued to attack, but from the air, and struck receiver Shawn Lothman with a 20-yard pass to bounce the score to 21-7 at the half.
Pounds responded again. This time he scored a 4-yard run, but the Mariners also answered as Howard added an 8-yard rushing score as well. Howard wrapped the day with 14 rushes for 37 yards while completing 14 or 27 attempts for 205 yards
Cypress trailed 28-20 at the end of the third quarter, but it still refused to quit – and on both sides of the ball. Yes, the Centurions defense actually kept the Mariners off the scoreboard Pounds completed a 27-yard pass to receiver Bobby Brito for a touchdown. Pounds then scored again. This time Buras flung a 41 yard pass to Pounds for a 1-yard touchdown on fourth and 10 for six points.
The Centurions eventually trimmed the deficit to 28-26 in the fourth. Buras threw a passing score to Pounds, but he missed a throw during the ensuing 2-point conversion. Pacifica’s Jacob Aldana then kicked a 33-yard field goal, which bumped the score to 31-26 with 8:18 remaining in regulation.
That’s when the Centurions strung together their best drive of the entire contest and season. During the final scoring drive Pounds made a pair of monster catches – the most important, or spectacular, of the game. The Centurions also clicked as an offensive unit, using 11 plays to compile a 62-yard scoring drive that lasted four minutes and ended with Buras passing to Chavez in the paint.
Cypress returns to action against Valencia High for an Empire League matchup scheduled for Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31.) at Western High in Anaheim. That contest starts at 7 p.m.
