The Titans captures the CIF Central Division Crown.
(Glendora) The San Marino Titans turned in a stellar performance on both sides of the ball Saturday night and beat the Charter Oak Chargers 45-28 at Citrus College in the CIF Central Division Finals led by another standout performance by J.P. Shofi. It’s the first CIF title for San Marino since 1988.
Shofi wasn’t alone in receiving accolades for superb performances as Carson Glaze, Michael Chan and Mark Wicke all shared the spotlight on a night when the Titans would not be denied a championship.
J.P. Shofi was almost unstopable in the Central Division final.
Even though San Marino won the game, it was Charter Oak that go the party started early in the opening stanza. Kamden Brown connected with Brian Casteel on a 17 yard touchdown pass. Jaren Surdo booted home the extra point for the early 7-0 lead.
The Chargers looked to take a 14 point advantage later in the first when Daren Nash picked Glazer off deep in the Charter Oak side of the field. Nash returned the ball all the way to the Titan four before running out of gas and stumbling at the Titan four. But instead of coming away with points, Brown was picked off by Wicke who returned the ball out to his own 37.
Carson Glazer slung it to the tune of 414 yards and two touchdowns.
San Marino capitalized on the turnover marching six plays down to the Charger 13. The drive stalled there and the Titans had to settle for a 30 yard Patrick Crowley field goal.
The Titans got their first lead of the game with 4:27 left in the first half. Wicke capped a seven play 70 yard drive with a three yard run. Crowley added the extra point for a 10-7 lead. It was a lead that San Marino wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the night.
Shofi got his first touchdown of the night with only :28 remaining and push the lead to 17-7 in the second quarter on a four yard pass from Wicke who came in to play quarterback in the Titans short yardage situations.
The game began to get away from Charter Oak with just over two minutes left in the third period. Glazer connected with Akbar Mahmood capping a nine play 88 yard drive. The drive was kept alive on a 42 yard run by Wicke who busted loose on a fourth and one play.
The Chargers showed signs of life on their ensuing drive. Brown hooked up with Braddock on a twenty yard pass that Braddock turned into a 84 yard bolt to paydirt.
Just when Charter Oak thought they were back in the game, the Titans struck again as an answer to the Charger score. Glazer and Shofi connected on a a 70 yard catch and run with only a minute left in the third to bring the score to 31-14.
Two more scores, one each from Wicke and Mahmood elevated the Titans to their final total of 45. Zion Echols got loose for his only score on the evening with 5:12 left in the final frame going up the middle and outracing San Marino to the endzone.
*** Shofi finished the night with 11 catches for 295 yards and two scores.
*** Nash was Charter Oaks leading receiver with nine catches for 109 yards and a score.
*** Glazer’s big night finished with 414 yards and two scores through the air and the one interception.
*** Brown connected on 17 of 27 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns but three tough interceptions as well.
*** On the ground Chan rushed for an even 100 yards and a touchdown for San Marino.
*** Echols for the most part was held in check gaining 119 yards and a lone touchdown.
*** Santino added five clutch catches for 45 yards for the Titans.
*** Braddock finished the night with only two catches but they went for 93 yards and a score.
*** Wicke’s night included two rushing touchdowns, on passing touchdown, 43 yards rushing and an interception on defense.
*** Up next for San Marino could be a date with Sierra Canyon in the first round of the CIF State playoffs.
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(Cover by Pat Cherry www.blackheartart.com)
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