The last JV game in the month of September would also mark the season's mid-way point. The challenge would be a daunting one against a powerhouse football program from San Diego, Cathedral Catholic.
Cathedral Catholic Dons (4-0)
at
Newbury Park Panthers (4-0)
Game Captains
Special Teams: #52 Tristan Montes
Scout Team: #15 Steve Vajcovec
Defense: #6 Jack Ensey
Offense: #7 Tyler Hwang
Trench Warfare
The Dons run a very traditional and well coached Wing-T offense. Our first concern was the fact that in all four of our previous games we had started slowly but rallied back to win.
We were very concerned that if we followed our usual script, that the game might get away from us against this very solid opponent.
It would.
Punishing Dons Ground Game
FIRST QUARTER:
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons wasted no time in taking the opening Kickoff and then marching 72 yards in seven plays to score the game's first points after a 29 yard run. The PAT was good, CCHS 7 - NPHS 0.
CCHS had Strong RBs
Newbury Park Ball: The Panthers did start slowly again driving only 30 yards on six plays before a pass ricocheted off of an NP receiver and into the waiting arms of a CCHS DB.
CCHS Runs It Some More
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons exploded for 42 yards on only three plays, covering the last 19 yards on the ground. The PAT was wide left, CCHS 13 - NPHS 0.
We were in deep trouble and it would only get worse.
Tyler Hwang Chipping away
Newbury Park Ball: After five plays netted only 27 yards, the Panthers tried a fake punt in an attempt to get some momentum going. The fourth down gamble failed as the Panther pass fell incomplete.
Andrew Noble on the Reception
Andrew had another great day catching nine passes for 97 yards, 2 TDs and a two-point PAT.
Noble Just Keeps on Rolling
Cathedral Catholic Ball: Four Dons' plays covered 45 yards, the last eight yards on another strong run. The PAT was good and the First Quarter ended with the scoreboard reading CCHS 20 - NPHS 0.
Keep Battling,
ONE PLAY AT A TIME!
SECOND QUARTER:
Newbury Park Ball: A good Kickoff Return by Andrew Noble got the ball out to the Panthers 48 yard line. Five plays gained 27 yards but the Panthers turned the ball over on downs.
Kaiden Raduziner blocking for
Kalani Sanchez
Cathedral Catholic Ball: We were overwhelmed again as CCHS covered 75 yards on only four plays. The TD play was a 17 yard pass, the PAT was good. Dons 27 - Panthers 0.
Keep Throwing Tyler
We could not get anything going on the ground so it was time to really open up the playbook. Our QB Tyler Hwang responded, completing 29 of his 41 passes (70.7%) for 385 yards, 4 TDs and a two-point PAT.
Pursue
Newbury Park Ball: Aided by a couple of penalties on CCHS (25 yards), the Panthers did gain 34 yards on nine plays before turning the ball over on downs again at the Dons' 20 yard line.
Noble's Nice One Handed Stab
Cathedral Catholic Ball: Another eight plays gained the Dons 80 more yards and another six points. The TD play this time was a five yard pass. The PAT was good and the 4-0 Panthers were staring the dreaded "35 Point Mercy Rule" square in the face trailing CCHS 34-0.
Andrew Noble is TOUGH to Contain
Even for CCHS
A funny thing happened at this crazy, potentially depressing juncture -- the Panthers showed their true colors.
While many teams in our position would fall apart, bickering and/or pointing fingers at each other, ours would have none of it! We bonded with our season long mantra of "Playing in Four Second Bursts, ONE PLAY AT A TIME!"
Kalani Sanchez giving his all
Newbury Park Ball: Seven plays covered the necessary 72 yards with Tyler Hwang finding Andrew Noble open in the end zone from 24 yards out for the score. Dario Longhetto split the uprights and it was now CCHS 34 - NPHS 7 with only 0:19 left in the First Half.
The ensuing NPHS Kickoff ended the first 24 minutes of the game as CCHS stayed in their huddle and let the clock run out with the score Dons 34 - Panthers 7.
Daniel "Frenchy" McCoy on the tackle
The halftime locker room was amazing given the circumstances. Every player committed themselves to playing as hard as they could on each play of the Second Half no matter what the score!
Kalani Sanchez on the move
Let's GET AFTER IT!
THIRD QUARTER:
Newbury Park Ball: The Panthers' grit showed through clearly with a 12 play, 80 yard drive ending in a second Hwang to Noble TD pass that covered a scant three yards. The PAT attempt was blocked but now it was CCHS 34 - NPHS 13
noble, Noble, NOBLE!!!
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons were held to -2 yards on their first three plays of the Second Half, THREE AND OUT, PUNT!
Our team has character!
And a few characters too.
Tavis Valenzuela blocking for Noble
Newbury Park Ball: On our third play, we threw our second interception of the day when a Dons DB did a great job of wrestling the ball away as both players went high in the air for the ball.
I Know, yet another Noble picture
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons were back at it running two plays for the needed 35 yards. The TD run was 21 yards long, the PAT was blocked by a great Andrew Noble effort and the Dons' lead was 40-13.
Open Field Action
Newbury Park Ball: The Panthers would just not "go quietly into that good night . . ." embarking on a five play, 80 yard drive with Hwang hitting Ryan Matlock on a 54 yard TD pass. The two-point PAT attempt was good as Hwang and Noble hooked up again. The tally was now Dons 40 - Panthers 21 with 40 seconds left in the Third Quarter.
Onward and Upward, EXCELSIOR!!!
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons ran only one play as the Third Quarter ended with the score still Cathedral Catholic 40 - Newbury Park 21.
Noble Blocks a PAT
OC Scott Ellis rallying his QB
Nick Cellona on a nice 16 yard
pass reception and run
Noble for SIX!!!
Good Block by Vincent Carreon
Tackle by Noble
Kalani Sanchez Punt Block Attempt
Noble Blocks a PAT
Sling It Tyler!
Kaiden Raduziner catch . . .
. . . and RUN!!!
Kaiden played well today, his stat line was:
Six pass caught for 74 yards.
Seven First Hit Tackles, including one tackle for a loss of 2 yards and one QB Sack for a loss of 5 yards.
Three Kickoff Returns for 64 yards.
Ryan Matlock Busting a Move
This move sprang him on his 54 yard TD catch and run.
Raduziner SACK!
Two 55s
Two American Football Studs
Number 23 is our Andrew Noble, I don't know CCHS's #24's name but he CAN play!
Raduziner is on the march again
FOURTH QUARTER:
Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons continued their drive that started at the end of the Third Quarter. The total damage this time down the field was nine plays and 71 yards. The TD was a 13 yard run, the PAT was good, CCHS 47 - NPHS 21.
Ryan Matlock . . . GONE!
Newbury Park Ball: The never-say-die Panthers were at it again, 76 yards on 3 plays. Ryan Matlock took in a short pass from Tyler Hwang, picked up some good downfield blocks and rumbled 76 yards for a TD. The two-point PAT was no good, Dons 47 - NPHS 27 with 7:10 left in the game.
The Dons Offensive Line
owned the trenches on this day
It was time to put in our backups
The time was slipping away and we had players to get in.
Kickoff Tackle by Mike Estandian
Cathedral Catholic Ball: Lots of clean jerseys in the game now for both squads, but the result was the same. Five CCHS plays covered yet another 80 yards. The last snap was a 57 yard run, the PAT was good again and the Dons now led 54-27.
Nice Form Tackle by Dario Longhetto
Newbury Park Ball: On the second play of a five yard drive, we fumbled the ball away.
Cathedral Catholic Ball: CCHS ran three plays before taking a knee to end the game.
The FINAL SCORE
RECORDS:
Cathedral Catholic 5-0
Newbury Park 4-1
The Dons were good and deserved the win.
VERY PROUD OF OUR YOUNG
MEN OF HONOR!
Kaiden Raduziner
Game Hammer Winner
"Sometimes You Win,
Sometimes You Learn"
I don't know exactly where I found this quote but it truly applied on this day. As a coaching staff, we found out more about the character of our team than we ever did in winning our first four games.
We are working with some very resilient and coachable young men indeed!
POST-GAME
Daughter-in-Law Vanessa Contreras
with . . .
Grandson Jacob
Yes, sadly, the Ventura County Barber's Union strike is still on, going strong for over two years now.
How can you dwell on a loss when this positive fireball hits the field.
"DADDY!!!"
GOOD TIMES INDEED!!!
The Panthers will be back in action next Friday, October 3rd with another non-league road game. This time, the match-up will be:
Newbury Park Panthers 4-1
at
Simi Valley Pioneers 1-4
The Pioneers are fresh off of an impressive first win of their campaign, here are their 2014 results:
Lost to Saugus 21-9
Lost to Buena 28-7
Lost to Righetti 28-23
Lost to Camarillo 35-14
Beat Thousand Oaks 48-6
We ARE Learning!!!
