The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers (Chatsworth, Calif.), of their first yr taking part in within the highest division of the California Interscholastic Federation South Part, discovered what different groups have been coping with for years:
One doesn’t simply beat Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).
Sierra Canyon’s season got here to an finish on Friday, because the Trailblazers misplaced to the Monarchs 41-14 within the CIF-SS Div. I semifinals.
However, it was a superb season for the reigning Div. II champions. Sierra Canyon went undefeated within the common season, permitting greater than 14 factors solely as soon as because it confronted packages like Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Serra (Gardena, Calif.). The No. 25 crew within the Tremendous 25, the Trailblazers entered the playoffs with one thing to show.
“It’s been a fantastic experience for us and there’s been numerous nice children come by way of this place which have simply slowly helped us climb the ladder,” head coach Jon Ellinghouse stated to the Los Angeles Every day Information previous to the beginning of the playoffs.
“We’re actually happy with what our program has executed till this level and that is the place we’ve been making an attempt to get. Now we’ve gotta attempt to show that we belong.”
They did so with the 37-20 win over Santa Margarita to kick off the playoffs. The crew was then outmatched by Mater Dei within the semifinals, a sport wherein junior quarterback commit Wyatt Becker threw 20-for-41 for 251 yards and a landing whereas operating again Dane Dunn rushed for 74 yards and a rating, in accordance with the OC Register.
Becker, who dedicated to Utah on Wednesday, completed his junior yr with 2,423 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions whereas finishing 65.8% of his passes.
The protection was key within the Trailblazers’ success, and plenty of essential elements — particularly, the go rush — will return. Whereas Carnell Ferguson, who had 20.5 sacks, will graduate, the road is in good palms behind sophomores Mikhal Johnson and Jonah Nadley and freshman Richard Wesley, who mixed for 35.0 sacks.
Sierra Canyon didn’t get by way of Mater Dei, however it will probably—and must be—delighted with the success of this season. Undefeated coming into the semifinals is nothing to scoff at, they usually can put together for subsequent yr to tackle the behemoths of the division who’re set to face off as soon as once more for the championship.