On a frigid Friday evening for highschool playoff soccer in Southern California, defensive finish Elijah Riley of Corona Centennial made a play to claim how a lot he and his teammates needed to defeat unbeaten Mission Viejo. Utilizing all-out pursuit and with no concern for his physique, he went airborne on the 30-yard line like he was Superman and landed on the ballcarrier from behind.
“I just took off,” he mentioned.
It was Centennial’s protection delivering at decisive moments in a 25-20 victory, sending the Huskies (9-2) right into a Southern Part Division 1 semifinal rematch at house in opposition to unbeaten Mater Dei. Mission Viejo ended its season at 10-1.
An important cease for Centennial got here when Mission Viejo had fourth and purpose from the two-yard line with 4:51 left. Quarterback Drai Trudeau tried to flee the pocket, however Centennial’s Jonathan McKinley utilized the stress. The ball ended up within the fingers of Fifita Moore for an interception. Quickly Malachi Roby broke unfastened for a 47-yard run on third all the way down to clinch the victory.
“They came through all night,” Centennial coach Matt Logan mentioned of his protection whereas carrying his customary shorts regardless of temperatures within the 50s. “It feels great.”
Roby rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Husan Longstreet, who was held out of the regular-season finale to ensure he was wholesome, regarded the a part of an All-American. He accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 236 yards and one landing and likewise made huge performs operating the ball. He’s dedicated to Texas A&M, however USC nonetheless is pursuing him. For now, he’s targeted on Mater Dei. He didn’t get to play in opposition to the Monarchs in a season-opening 42-25 loss. He is aware of most of the Mater Dei gamers from passing competitions.
Malachi Roby (3) celebrates for Corona Centennial. He had 187 yards dashing and two touchdowns in win over Mission Viejo.
(Craig Weston)
“We’re coming back for revenge,” he mentioned.
Centennial’s offense acquired sturdy blocking from its line and efficient performances from Longstreet and Roby to open a 19-10 halftime lead. Roby had landing runs of 1 yard and 25 yards. Longstreet accomplished a 45-yard landing cross to Cory Butler after Mission Viejo failed on an onside kick late within the half.
The Diablos’ two-quarterback rotation of Luke Fahey and Trudeau was not clicking. There was no dashing assault and a few snaps from heart put the quarterbacks in awkward positions. Receivers Vance Spafford and Dijon Lee made a few huge catches. Mission Viejo was lucky it didn’t path by a wider margin as a result of Lee recovered a Centennial fumble on the Diablos’ 14.
Mission Viejo took the lead within the third quarter with a 47-yard landing catch by Money Semonza from Fahey, then a 22-yard subject purpose by Caleb Sylvia, his second of the sport. However Longstreet got here again with a 10-yard landing run for a 25-20 lead close to the tip of the third quarter.
Butler was an enormous spark on offense for Centennial, catching 9 passes for 157 yards. Spafford had 9 catches for 121 yards for Misison Viejo. The Diablos’ two quarterbacks mixed for 362 yards passing.
Now Logan has to determine how one can beat a Mater Dei workforce that simply doesn’t look beatable.
“We’ll be ready,” he mentioned. “That’s all we can do. They’ll show up, we’ll show up.”
