December 1st 2024.
In a thrilling matchup at MacDonald High, Leland's three-headed rushing attack proved to be the deciding factor in their victory over Sequoia for the Central Coast Section Division V championship. Running backs Hudson Vye and Brady Hernandez, along with quarterback Jacob Gibson, worked in perfect harmony to lead their team to victory. However, it was a clever new play that sealed the deal for the Chargers.
As the game entered its final moments with both teams tied, Gibson surprised everyone by throwing a 76-yard touchdown pass to Vye, who had snuck his way out of the backfield and was left wide open. This unexpected play proved to be the game-decider, and Vye couldn't contain his excitement. "All week we had been preparing for their defense, and we knew their linebackers wouldn't be able to cover me," Vye shared. "So it was designed for me to run that wheel, and it worked perfectly. It was an incredible feeling."
This victory marked Leland's fifth section championship, a remarkable achievement for a team that had a shaky start to the season with a 2-2 record. But they rallied and finished strong, winning eight of their last nine games. Hernandez also played a key role in the game, catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from Gibson in the second quarter.
The Chargers' offense was a force to be reckoned with, with a balanced attack of 186 rushing yards and 184 passing yards. Vye was a standout performer, rushing for 114 yards on just 12 carries, while Gibson not only threw for two touchdowns but also rushed for two more. However, the second-half heroics of Leland's defense cannot be overlooked.
They entered the game with a focused plan to stop Sequoia's star running back, Jordan Crockett V. Their strategy worked, as the Ravens were forced to rely on their passing game. Quarterback Shawn Royer had an impressive first half, completing 13 of 15 passes, 10 of them to Randy Nunez. But Leland's defense stepped up in the second half, shutting down Sequoia's offense and not allowing them to score another point.
Head Coach Kelly King Jr. explained their game plan, saying, "We came into the game to stop number 5 (Crockett V). We knew he was a great player, and he kind of went off in the first half. But we made some adjustments, played more aggressively, and got some help over the top. At halftime, we made a decision not to lose to him or anyone else. We were determined to make someone else beat us."
And their determination paid off as they held Sequoia scoreless in the second half. Despite Nunez's impressive 169 receiving yards in the first half, he was unable to make a significant impact in the final two quarters. Royer finished the game with 273 passing yards and one touchdown, while Crockett V gained 58 yards on 18 carries and scored one touchdown.
Although it was a tough loss for Sequoia, their coach, Frank Mems Jr., was proud of his team's performance. "We want this to be the new baseline, the new expectation," he said. "We have some young and hungry players, and we lost Mosese Tangitau in our last game, so freshmen and sophomores had to step up. I'm hoping they use this as motivation and continue to improve in the offseason."
Overall, it was a well-fought game by both teams, and Leland emerged as the deserving champions. As the players celebrated and lifted their trophy, it was clear that this victory would be remembered for years to come.
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