December 14th 2024.
The game was not yet over, but the excitement and anticipation were already building for the Moreau Catholic High School football team. As the third quarter began, seniors Peyton Collins and Jalen Arnold couldn't contain their joy any longer and started the celebration for their team's eventual victory in the state championship.
It was a moment that would be remembered forever, as Collins and Arnold high-fived just before Collins completed an impressive 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. This was just one of many highlights in the Mariners' 42-8 win over Lindsay High School at Fullerton Union High School stadium on a Friday evening.
Arnold later reflected on the special moment, saying, "It's a memory that will live on forever, and a story that Peyton and I will one day tell our children." And it was a well-deserved celebration for the Moreau Catholic players, who had put in a flawless performance on the field.
The Mariners' passing game was sharp, their run game was executed to perfection, and their special teams made some impressive returns. But it was their defense that truly shined, forcing multiple turnovers and ultimately leading to a running-clock in the fourth quarter.
For Coach Keith Minor and the rest of the Hayward program, this victory was a long time coming. "This is surreal," Minor exclaimed, still dripping wet from a Gatorade bath. "It took a lot of effort, energy, dedication, and faith from these kids to get here."
The game began with a bang for Moreau Catholic, with Jalen Arnold scoring an 81-yard punt return touchdown early in the first quarter. This was followed by a slippery 25-yard touchdown run from Peyton Collins in the second quarter, putting the Mariners ahead by two touchdowns.
"We knew that we just had to stick to our game plan and play at our level," Collins shared. "And that's exactly what we did, and the result speaks for itself."
Their opponent, Lindsay High School, had an impressive running game led by 2,088-yard rusher Jose Cortes. But the Mariners' defense, led by linebackers Eriq Field and Seth Evans, was up to the challenge. These two players, who had each recorded over 100 tackles this season, played a crucial role in holding Lindsay to just 21 rushing yards.
And it was the quick thinking of Eriq Field that led to one of the most memorable plays of the game. With just over three minutes left in the first half, Lindsay's quarterback Uriah Guerrero threw a high pass that was ruled an incompletion by the majority of players on the field. But Field knew better, picking up the ball and running 65 yards for a touchdown, much to the surprise of the Lindsay sideline.
"I thought it was a dead ball, but then I saw Eriq running in for a touchdown," Collins laughed as he recalled the moment. "I was pretty happy about that."
With a dominating first half performance, Moreau Catholic continued to dominate in the second half, ultimately winning the game by a significant margin. As the clock ran down, the Mariners' players and fans erupted in celebration, with the team lifting the first place trophy in triumph.
And as for how they planned on celebrating such a monumental victory? "We're going to Disneyland!" Collins exclaimed with excitement.
The game may have been over, but the memories and the celebrations would last a lifetime. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, Moreau Catholic had put in a flawless performance, making history as the first school from Hayward to win a state championship. And as the team took one last look at the scoreboard, they knew that this was just the beginning of their journey to success.
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