Redondo staves off Mira Costa rally to win Battle at the Beach [UPDATED]
Redondo claimed its fourth straight Battle at the Beach win against rival Mira Cost. photo
Visiting Redondo secured second place in the Bay League and a CIF playoff berth Friday night quelling a Mira Costa rally in the final minute for a 27-23 victory.
Redondo retained possession of the perpetual surfboard trophy presented to the winning team of the rivalry game after defeating the Mustangs for the fourth consecutive year.
“Never a dull Costa game,” Redondo head coach Matt Ballard stated. “Our boys played their hearts out. “We enter “second season” now and plan to carry this huge Costa victory momentum into next week and hopefully deep into the playoff bracket.”
Holding a slim 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, Redondo scored 17 unanswered points to take a commanding 20-2 lead.
Redondo running back DeMarcus Johnson breaks through a physical Mira Costa defense during his two-touchdown performance that helped the Sea Hawks win the Battle at the Beach. Photo
But Mira Costa fought back scoring the next 21 points. After a 1-yard dive for a touchdown by Jonah Tavai, the Mustangs recovered an onside kick and marched 30 yards culminated by Vashon Hill’s 7-yard touchdown run.
Mira Costa quarterback Nick Carpino later connected with Malachi McMahon for a 27-yard reception before McMahon scored on a 6-yard run giving the Mustangs their only lead of the game at 23-20.
With 2:20 remaining in regulation, Redondo answered with quarterback Jack Alexander’s 7-yard touchdown strike to Dawson Pierre to reclaim the lead.
Starting on its own 6-yard line, Mira Costa drove to the Redondo 15 but with 52 seconds left, Redondo’s Charles Watson intercepted a deflected pass to seal the victory.
Hobbled with an ankle sprain, Alexander was 13 of 30 passing for 167 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He also rushed for 31 yards on eight carries.
“The win at Mira Costa was probably the most memorable of any I’ve ever had at any level,
Alexander said. “Coming from behind and connecting with Dawson for the winning score was so exciting and I’m proud to have beaten Costa in my junior and senior years.”
The Alexander-Pierre connection goes deeper than on the field. Pierre, a Canadian who wanted to play American football, has lived with the Alexander family since August.
The dual-threat Alexander takes impressive numbers into the postseason. He has passed for 1,995 yards and 19 touchdowns with six interceptions and has rushed for 675 yards and seven touchdowns.
DeMarcus Johnson was named Redondo’s Offensive Player of the Game, running for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He is averaging 5.5 yards per carry amassing 719 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Aidan Goldfield had three receptions for 62 yards in the win and is the Sea Hawk’s leading receiver averaging 14.1 yards per catch recording 508 yards with three touchdowns.
Senior defensive back Tyler Wunderli was selected Defensive Player of the Game, senior kicker/punter Adam Yorke was Special Teams Player of the Game and senior lineman Daniel Bermudez earned the Scout “Eager Beaver” Player of the Week honors.
McMahon recorded 166 total yards for Mira Costa while Carpino was 14 of 23 passing for 18 yards and Cody Kallenbach had five receptions for 72 yards.
Redondo (6-4) earned a first-round home game in Division 4 and will host San Juan Hills (5-5).
Cody Kallenbach is Mira Costa’s leading receiver this season. Photo
The Stallions are led by quarterback Matt Rodriguez who has passed for 1,181 yards and eight touchdowns with seven interceptions this season.
Chase Monarch leads the running attack averaging 5.1 yards per carry (286 yards, four touchdowns) while Travis Lau is the top receiver with a gaining 410 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards per catch.
“I know San Juan Hills will be very well coached and has played a tough schedule, so they are battle tested like we are,” Alexander said. “Our mental approach will be the key to the game. We need to stay focused and play four quarters of good football. Playing in front of a home crowd will help.”
Competing in Division 6, Mira Costa (4-6) will travel to face No. 3 Crescenta Valley (8-2). The Mustang defense will have its hands full against a balanced Falcon attack.
Quarterback Cole Doyle has passed for 1,329 yards and 19 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He is also the team’s leading rusher with 675 yards and nine touchdowns.
The running game also features Joe Suh (615 yards, seven touchdowns).
Also in Division 6 West Torrance (5-5) hosts St. Paul (4-6).
Bay League champion Palos Verdes (7-3) will host Marmonte League runner-up Westlake (7-3) in Division 3.
Ocean League champion Lawndale (10-0) is seeded third and will host Los Osos (5-5)in the first round of Division 5 competition..
In Division 7, Pioneer League champion North Torrance (8-2) has a first-round home game against Fullerton (6-4). El Segundo (8-2) will be on the road taking on No. 2 El Modena (8-2).
All games will start at 7:30 p.m. unless another time is mutually agreed upon.
For results, brackets and seedings, visit cifss.org.
