GAME RECAP: Palos Verdes Dominates in CIF State Division 2-A Final to Win First State Title in School History

By: Isabella Lyons

Twelve Bridges, 2-A North champions and Palos Verdes, the 2-A South champions, met up at 11:30am at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo today. The Twelve Bridges Rhinos came into the match up undefeated at 14-0 while the Palos Verdes Sea Kings had a 10-5 record. 

The game began with Twelve Bridges’ punt to Palos Verdes, putting the Sea Kings at the 31 yard line. A Palos Verdes run takes the ball to the 41 yard line for a Sea Kings 1st down. Ryan Rakowski at quarterback for the Sea Kings finds Evan Aguirre for another Palos Verdes 1st down, followed shortly after by a quarterback keeper for a 1st down. With 6:05 to go in the half, Rakowski connects with Morley Boyd for a 10 yard Palos Verdes touchdown. 

Dylan Freebury kicks off to Twelve Bridges, where the Rhinos have the ball at the 20 yard line. The Rhinos carry the ball to the 50 yard line for a 1st and down, but shortly after are flagged for a delay of game and pushed back to the 45 yard line. Inside the redzone, Twelve Bridges is inside the Palos Verdes’ 20 yard line, but are soon pushed back to the 24 yard line, but time runs out before they have the chance to score.

At the start of the 2nd quarter, Isaiah Rodriguez is brought down by a group of Sea Kings to push the ball back. Soon after, Rakowski’s pass is completed to Jace DeMoss for a 59 yard play for a Sea Kings 1st down. Dominic Hernando picks up yet another 1st down for the Sea Kings, the next play Rakowski’s pass is completed to Joey Koyama for a 9 yard touchdown pass. 

After the 57 yard punt to Palos Verdes, the Sea Kings returned it for 5 yards to put them at the 13 yard line. Following the 17 yard play puts Palos Verdes i n the 30 yard line, where Rakowski’s 44 yard pass is completed to Evan Aguirre, putting the Sea Kings on the 30 yard line, and Rakowski finds Aguirre, this time in the endzone, for 26 yards. Twelve Bridges have the ball, but not for long when Jon Sarmiento intercepts the Rhinos at their own 34 yard line. Twelve Bridges in the red zone, but are unable to make a score, soon after, Ryan Rakowski with a 32 yard pass to Jalen Flowers for a Sea Kings touchdown to finish off the half.

With the 3rd half underway, Twelve Bridges punts to Palos Verdes, where the Sea Kings have the ball at their own 49 yard line. Palos Verdes’ Joey Koyama, sees the endzone again to bring the score to 34-0, Sea Kings. Palos Verdes kicks to Twelve Bridges where the Rhinos have the ball on their own 20 yard line. The Rhinos continue to take the ball to the 24 yard for a 3rd down. On 4th down, Connor Flaherty’s 16 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wanger is complete for the first score of the game for the Rhinos, the extra point attempt is no good. 

The Sea Kings bounce back and are able to take it all the way to the endzone. Rakowski’s 28 yard pass to Joey Koyama is complete for a Palos Verdes touchdown. The punt to Twelve Bridges puts the Rhinos at their own 17 yard line, with a 12 yard return, but are unable to score. They punt back to Palos Verdes with the ball on the Twelve Bridges’ 45 yard line.

Early in the 4th quarter, Rakowski is switched out with Knox Kiffin for quarterback, shortly after, Kiffin’s pass is in complete but manages to hand the ball off to hand the ball off to Christian Reis for a 5 yard rushing touchdown. Palos Verdes kicks off to Twelve Brides on their own 20 yard line, where Braeden Ward finds the endzone with a 12 yard rushing touchdown.

Possession changed to Palos Verdes, where the Sea Kings had the ball at their own 20 yard line. Soon after, Soren Hong came in strong with a 72 yard rushing touchdown pushing the Seakings ahead at 55-13, after the extra point. Twelve Bridges has the ball on the Palos Verdes’ 30 yard line and finds the end zone with less than a minute to go in the 4th, but it’s too late and the Seakings bring home the 2-A State Championship.