East County Sports

Patriots stun Pointers in last-second thriller

Christian's Justin Roehl and Bryce Riepl celebrate.

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CHRISTIAN 44, POINT LOMA 37

 

By Shane Dillon

Special to EastCountySports.com

 

EL CAJON – Christian High QB BRADLEY JEREMIAH threw for 439 yards and 6 touchdowns on 19-of-27 attempts while leading the Patriots to a 44-37 shootout win over 10th-ranked Point Loma at El Cajon Valley High Stadium’s Priest Field Friday night.

Christian WR JESSE MATTHEWS totaled 6 catches on 88 yards and 3 scores, helping Jeremiah become the first quarterback in Patriots’ history to throw for over 3,000 yards in the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Point Loma Pointers imposed a ground game that accounted for 327 rushing yards, with RB Josh Ball accounting for 3 rushing TDs.

This game consisted of two very different, but both very successful offensive game plans.

The game, played at El Cajon Valley because Valley Stadium was being used by Granite Hills on the season’s final night, started off with a bang, as Matthews picked off Point Loma QB KYLE GRADY.

Christian attacked the Point Loma secondary early and often with Jeremiah connecting with Matthews on the duo’s first touchdown of the night.

Christian runs a play on Friday night.

To end the 1st quarter, Point Loma drove down the field, as Grady snuck into the end zone as time expired tying the game 7-7.

On Christian’s ensuing drive Jeremiah connected on a 61 yard quick slant to sophomore WR ALONZO RICHARDSON – one of coach DAVID BEEZER’s favorite play calls.

After the Patriots picked Grady off once again they were set up with great field position.

This led to Jeremiah’s third TD pass before the half, this time he hit WR ALEXANDER GONZALEZ for a 28 yard slot fade route in the back of the end zone.

The Pointers of Point Loma finished the half strong, however, and trimmed the lead to 21-14 on another QB sneak by Grady.

The Pointers’ defense forced a 3-and-out against the Patriots’ high-powered offense and was able to add a last-second field goal to end the half 21-17 in favor of Christian.

Christian received the second half kickoff and Jeremiah hit his tight end BRYCE RIEPL for a 7- yard catch and run but was caught from behind just before he could reach the pylon.

Point Loma forced a huge goal line stand and got the ball back on their own 2 yard line.

However, on the first play from scrimmage, they fumbled the ball back to Christian High.

Jeremiah threw his 4th TD of the night hitting Matthews for a score, extending the lead, 28-17.

Point Loma refused to give up on the ground and pound, marching down the field on the back of Ball.

The Pointers rewarded Ball for some tough runs and he delivered for a 30-yard touchdown cutting the Patriot lead, 28-24.

Christian got the ball back with little time left in the 3rd Quarter and Beezer caught everyone off guard with a trick play double pass call.

However, the ball was slightly overthrown and Christian then fumbled the snap on the next play giving it back to Point Loma to start the 4th.

The Pointers continued to ride their workhorse Ball and he took them into the end zone for the 2nd time giving the Pointers their first lead of the night 30-27.

The Pointers attempted a 2-point conversion that failed keeping the score 30-27.

Christian answered quickly with a 71-yard TD pass to Gonzalez making the score 36-30 after a successful Patriots 2-point conversion.

The Pointers didn’t panic though and continued to force feed Ball and he earned a 3rd rushing touchdown taking the score to 37-36, in favor of the Pointers.

The Air Raid Offense of Christian High couldn’t be stopped and Jeremiah connected with Matthews on their 3rd and final hookup of the evening taking the score to 44-37 after Matthews caught another 2-point conversion in the corner of the end zone.

Point Loma managed to put together an efficient 2-minute drill and the game came down a 4th-and-13 pass breakup in the end zone by Christian High DB JUSTIN ROEHL and the Patriots took a knee to win it, 44-37.

The Patriots will look to ride the momentum of this big upset victory going into the playoffs next week, while the Pointers will hope to bounce back, possibly as a top-seed in Division I

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