Dylan Ware scored five times for the Saints. (Photo by Duane Barker).
By Tim Peterson
(Covina) – San Dimas stopped Northview quarterback Steven Comstock on the three yard line as the clock ran out to hold on to a dramatic 48-42 victory over the Vikings Thursday night at Covina District Field.
Northview took over at its own 12-yard line with just 49 seconds remaining and drove all the way down to the Saint three. Comstock was stopped at the three the first time but the Vikes lined up and Comstock tried it one more time only to have the San Dimas defense step up and make one last stand.
Northview QB Steven Comstock left it all on the field as he accounted for all six touchdowns and had 465 yards passing. (Photo by Duane Barker).
Comstock, who accounted for all six Viking scores, had connected with Damion Thompson for 52 yards and then Martin Gutierez for 17 to set up the final play. Northview was out of timeouts so once Comstock hit the ground it touched off a Saint celebration.
Noah Maldonaldo scored on a two-yard run with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter to give the Saints a seemingly insurmountable 41-21 lead. But three minutes later Comstock hit Gutierez for a 31-yard TD strike over the middle to make it 41-28.
Okay, no big deal for the Saints. Dylan Ware, who scored five touchdowns on the night, busted off a 33-yard touchdown run with 5:28 left to make it 48-28. But the Vikes weren’t finished, not by a long shot.
Comstock connected with Gutierez again for a 20-yard score and it was 48-35. After Northview stopped San Dimas on fourth down, Comstock struck gold on the first play from scrimmage, firing a 65-yard missile that Joseph Castillo Jr. ran under and into the endzone and suddenly it was 48-42.
Noah Maldonado rushed for 150 yards and a score for SD. (Photo by Duane Barker).
Again the Saints had to give up the ball punting it away to the Vikings who then came up just short on their final shot.
The Saints had forged a 27-14 lead at the half highlighted by three Ware touchdown jaunts, including one for 60 yards that gave San Dimas a 27-7 lead. Northview showed a sign of things to come just before the half when Comstock hooked up with Deshon Thompson for a 53-yard touchdown with just four seconds left to cut the lead to 13.
The two teams exchanged scores in the third quarter. Ware scored again on a 37-yard sprint and the Comstock – Deshon Thompson connection worked once again for a 34-yard score.
Maldonado set the tone for a wild fourth quarter when he scored early. There were 35 points scored in the final frame – 28 in the last 7:42.
Get a load of some of these numbers. There were over 1,051 total yards of offense. Northview had 536 of those with Comstock completing 24 of 35 for 465 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards and scored the first Viking touchdown on a two-yard run. Deshon Thompson was the main target with five catches for 150 yards and two scores. Gutierez had eight for 84 yards and two scores.
Big night for Northview’s Deshon Thompson. (Photo by Duane Barker).
For San Dimas, Ware had 16 carries for 231 yards and five touchdowns while Maldonado had 22 for 150 and a score. Zach Goodrich had 43 yards and a touchdown on six carries.
The Saints racked up 426 yards on the ground and 515 total.
“We knew and these seniors knew that little lead at half didn’t mean nothing because of who they got over there. That 15 (Comstock) is special,” said San Dims head coach Mark Holman. “But I’ll tell you right now. The Saints are special too. You know there’s been a lot of doubters out there. The only ones that believed in us is ourselves. We’re a darn good football team when we play sharp. That’s the fact of the matter.”
There is a now a tie at the top of the Valle Vista League with San Dimas and Northview both sitting at 3-1 with Covina right behind at 2-1. The Colts, who beat San Dimas three weeks ago, play Wilson tomorrow night.
“(Covina) – San Dimas stopped Northview quarterback Steven Comstock on the three yard line as the clock ran out to hold on to a dramatic 48-42 victory over the Vikings Thursday night at Covina District Field.”
San Dimas stopped him TWICE on the 3 yard line 🙂
It was a great game, I had a hard time going to sleep. Last year Holman got out coached the second half by Marcel and lost the game. This year Holman tweeks the wing T and wins. I’m proud of both coachs trying to out duel each other every year. That’s what makes high school football fun. The last time SD beat Northview the older Ware brother was on the team. This year the younger Ware brother (Dylan) wins again, both brother bookend victories, nice family tradition.
I find it hilarious how I continue to read comments on how Holman switched up the offense or went away from the Wing-T. He ran basic Wing-T plays and schemes. He just dressed them up with formations. The different was the hogs upfront where executing and played on a whole new level than they have all year. It looks like The Saints are clicking at the right time or the season. A win is a win no matter the score wether it’s by 1 or 21. Credit to both teams playing till the clock hit 00:00!
Evamarie…if you were the scorer for Maxpreps I was the one leaving comments until you took over. Game was too important not to let people know that were not there what was going on. It’s 11am the next day and I am still hyped at how great the game was. I wonder how many days it will be before your Saints feet touch the ground again? They deserve every second of it! Outstanding job by coach Holman switching up the offense, and the players ( especially Ware ) for executing.
Northview has no business losing to this football team. Coaching will always be the determining factor. SD has a great staff and leadership. Northview has no leadership and Comstock can only do so much. Great game for both teams. Good luck in playoffs.
The Saint boys will be talking about this game for the rest of their lives! Both teams were great. And I agree with Colt74 a few of us parents could barely watch the last minute. So proud of our Saints!
@ Colt74. I would agree with you. It was a game to remember. And that’s why high school football is played. Set’s up all three teams now for playoff’s pretty well.
One of the best High School games ever. I was blown away when SD took the lead, and started pulling away, but in awe when Mr. Comstock brought them right back with a chance for the win.
Between the Dodgers game, and tonight I don’t know if this old farts heart could take much more. This is a game that will be discussed by future old men who follow HS football for years to come.