MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

Palos Verdes: After being shutout for three quarters in the Division 5 CIF-SS final, the Palos Verdes Sea Kings erupted and scored 23 straight points in the fourth quarter, and defeated the La Serna Lancers 23-7 in front of their home crowd on a cold Friday night. 

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Rakowski led the way with two rushing touchdowns, and Camren Hughes added two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. 

“We started 2-4, and now, to be here, we won seven of our last eight games. It is something that words can’t describe,” said Rakowski when discussing the season. “I’m so proud of my guys and look forward to celebrating with them.” 

At first, it looked like the Sea Kings could not find their way into the end zone in the title game. And a comeback looked inevitable.

When La Serna got on the board with 3:10 in the first quarter, behind Grady Long’s 35-yard touchdown toss to Zeb Bontemps, the closest Palos Verdes got at scoring any points was a 37-yard field goal. 

When the kick was missed to the left, the Lancers played keep away as they utilized their running game behind a trio of running backs of Daniel Moreno, Ayden Contreras, and Elijah Blu Flores II that killed the first half clock and all of the third quarter. 

Then, as the fourth quarter started, the Palos Verdes defense forced back-to-back turnovers, and the scoring onslaught began. 

When La Serna was on the Sea Kings’ 34-yard line, Long dropped back to pass, only to have it get picked off by Hughes, who then went the other way and returned it 79 yards for the score, tying the ballgame.

“When Camren Hughes got a great pick six that changed the momentum for us,” Rakowski commented about the defensive touchdown. 

Then, on the ensuing Lancer possession, Owen Wishner sacked Long, forcing him to fumble, which was then recovered by Josh Williams on their 10-yard line. 

Two plays later, Rakowski scrambled out of the pocket and walked into the end zone with 6:21 remaining in the final period, giving his team the lead for the first time.  

The Lancers tried to weather the storm and reestablish their ground game, which accumulated 124 total yards rushing but kept going backward as they tried to punch back. 

The self-destruction of the Lancers continued on the drive when running back Kaimana Tufaga was tackled in the end zone for safety with 4:24 left in regulation.

Rakowski closed the door for a La Serna comeback when he optioned to keep the rock on their final offensive possession, ran through a defender, and darted his way into the end zone for the game-final touchdown, etching the score at 23-7 after the point after attempt. 

“It felt awesome,” said Rakowski about his second rushing touchdown. “I just felt all the hard work we put in right as I crossed the end zone come to fruition.”