Baldwin Park, CA—After winning the Skyline league championship and going 5-0 during league play, the Yellowjackets got their chance Friday night to push towards winning a CIF Southern Section division title in a round one playoff matchup against the Baldwin Park Braves.
Colton’s playoff campaign, however, got cut short. The season ended with a 42-28 loss.
“We stuttered at times,” said head coach Ray Rodriguez about the defeat. “We had a couple of penalties that killed us, and defensively we had times where we just missed an assignment, and they scored on it, it’s tough.”
“At the end of the day, it’s about the boys going out there and making plays,” Rodriguez continued, “There were times we made plays and times where we missed the plays, and that’s what it is.”
In the opening minutes of the first quarter, the game looked like it was going to go Colton’s way as quarterback Koa Regalado found receiver Kalvin Leon for a 45-yard touchdown pass.
But after that, Baldwin Park went on a dominant 35-6 tear that extended into the second half.
As seen all season, Colton played tougher in the second half, outscoring the Braves 15-14. On defense, Mateo Barboza and Damian Sanchez both recovered timely fumbles, but it wasn’t enough to mount a full comeback.
Prior to the game, the Yellowjackets faced a few injuries, but throughout the game, they suffered more injuries to key players. This included starting receiver Kyle Mejia and quarterback Regalado.
Regalado left the game in the fourth quarter and was replaced by backup quarterback Thomas Prieto. Prieto threw for 29 yards on a touchdown pass to receiver Ethan Moreno to bring the Yellowjackets within seven points midway through the fourth quarter.
Baldwin Park extended their lead back to 14 on the following possession on a 22-yard touchdown run by back Sinsere Ellis.
For the Yellowjackets, Regalado found himself pressured all night as the Braves defensive line kept getting through to him. He still finished with 246 yards passing and two touchdowns, while adding 81 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Kalvin Leon led all receivers with 122 yards receiving and a touchdown. Jonathan Quiroz had 74 yards and a touchdown, and Ethan Moreno finished with 48 yards and a touchdown. Damian Sanchez had 70 total yards on offense and a fumble recovery on defense.
For the Braves, they were led by quarterback Jake Garcia, who finished with 300 yards and three touchdowns. Ellis had 214 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
For the Yellowjackets, this loss doesn’t dampen an otherwise successful season. Their league championship marked the first time since 2009 they had taken the title. Due to their success this year, they improved their standing in the CIF Southern Section by playing in division 11 after playing in division 13 two years ago.
And the reward for going undefeated in Skyline league this year is that next year they will join Kaiser, Rim of the World, and San Gorgonio in the San Andreas League.
For coach Mario Martinez, while the loss to Baldwin Park is frustrating, it doesn’t dampen his pride over this season.
“I’ll be able to see the league championship banner everytime I walk into [Hubbs] gym,” he said.
CIF Playoff Notes
Division 11: Grand Terrace def. Santa Fe 20-7
After a weak start to the season, the Grand Terrace Titans finished their regular season as San Andreas League champs with a 3-0 record. In their first round match against the Santa Fe Chiefs, they pounded the ball on the ground for a total of 292 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Titans were led by senior running back Exzavior Oliver, who amassed 240 yards and all three of the Titans scores. The Titans will square off against San Gorgonio on Nov. 15 in round two of the CIF playoffs.
Division 12: Carter def. Trinity Classic Academy 53-15
Ryder Carson threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns in Carter’s round 1 victory over Trinity Classic Academy. Senior Jordan McKinney also ran for 184 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown run in the victory. Carter will move to round two and face Canyon Springs on Nov. 15 at Canyon Springs High.
Division 12: Mary Star of the Sea def. Fontana 51-27
Junior quarterback Tanner Collins led Mary Star with 286 yards and five touchdown passes in the decisive victory over the Steelers in their round one matchup. This puts an end to the Steelers playoff run. Mary Star of the Sea will move on to round two, where they will play Dos Pueblos High on Nov. 15.
