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(Photo top left) The Santa Paula defense stops a Fillmore runner. Senior running back Steven Kohr (photo top right) pushed into the end zone in the second OT for the winning touchdown. (Bottom left) The Santa Paula varsity celebrates after their win over Fillmore Thursday night. Jesse Obiols (bottom right) got the Cardinal’s first TD in the first quarter. (Photos by Brian D. Wilson & Diana Ramos) |
Cardinal varsity ends season on a high note with a 26-23 win over Fillmore
November 16, 2011
Sports
When the Cardinals and the Fillmore Flashes meet on the football field it always seems to be a nail biter and last Thursday was no exception.
The Cards took the day in front of an overflow crowd in double overtime, 26-23. This was the 101st meeting of the two rivals. Santa Paula also won the coveted old leather helmet in the 100th game last year.
One thing was certain from the start of this game; it was going to go down to the wire. Senior running back Steven Kohr pushed into the end zone in the second overtime for the winning touchdown. This came after a Fillmore field goal had put them ahead by three points.
The two teams played a back-and-forth contest for much of the first quarter. With 2:48 on the clock Jesse Obiols got the first Cardinal touchdown and the point after kick put them ahead 7-0. But, with just 18 seconds left in the quarter Fillmore got a TD of their own. However, the point after kick was no good.
Early in the second quarter Kameron Klien scored again for the Cards, but the Flashes got another TD about four minutes later to tie the game, 13-13.
Mid way through the third quarter Klien again got into the end zone, keeping Santa Paula in the lead. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Fillmore blocked a punt and scored again tying the game, 20-20. This was the final score until the clock ran out and the overtime began. Fillmore got their field goal in the second overtime. The Cardinals got the winning touchdown minutes later. Both teams had penalties in overtime that set them back.
Santa Paula quarterback Christian Garcia completed 18 of 34 passes for 217 yards. Steven Kohr led in rushing with 80 yards, followed by Kameron Klien with 66. Steven Kohr was the leading receiver for 116 yards. Jesse Obiols followed with 61 yards.
Coach Teojua Sanchez had praise for the team effort: “It was a great way to end a season by beating Fillmore in double overtime. We had difficulty in finishing games throughout the season and we finally found a way to win a game. I am extremely proud of the way in which the players continued to play hard throughout the season; they never gave up. I would like to thank the parents, fans, community, and the administration for their support throughout the season.
The defense played great throughout the game. They were placed in difficult situations at times during the game but Defensive Coordinator; Myke Montoya did a tremendous job in his game planning. It was a team effort on defense, all 11 players played hard throughout the game. The offense was able to move the ball throughout the game but penalties and turnovers gave Fillmore momentum. I was disappointed in special teams but we missed 2 field goals, one extra point, and we had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown. We will need to get on our special teams in the off-season.
I would just like to say thank you to the loyal fans that supported the football team throughout the year. We would also like to thank our businesses and supporters who helped donated money for these young men.”
