Call it the “Ides of November” or “Beware the Quarterfinals.”
Julius Caesar apparently missed the significance and was assassinated in 44 BC after being advised to “beware the Ides of March,” a March 15 date on the Roman calendar noted for religious observances and as a deadline for “settling debts,” according to accepted history.
On a similar day in a different month last week eight San Diego Section teams didn’t get the memo. While not experiencing Caesar’s fate, their seasons ended in the second round of the postseason, some with stunning finality.
The four remaining survivors in each of Divisions I through V will meet Friday in the semifinals at the homes of the higher seeded teams, while Helix and Carlsbad square off for the Open Division championship at Southwestern College Saturday.
Taking the surprises in order:
OPEN DIVISION
Cathedral, the number 2 seeded team and an early-season top 10 club in California, went down to a 21-20 semifinals defeat to No. 3 Carlsbad.
Trailing, 21-14, the Dons scored with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter and then opted not to kick (and probably go into overtime) but went for a two-point conversion and victory.
The snap on a fake kick went awry and Cathedral holder Coleman Smith ducked and dodged from sideline to sideline before Carlsbad defenders tackled Smith and closed out the Lancers’ victory.
Helix, the area’s No. 1-ranked squad and top seed in the division, needed a late, blocked punt that led to a touchdown and an interception for a touchdown in the last 2:28 to oust the ornery No. 4 St. Augustine Saints, 12-7.
“Worst game I’ve ever been a part of and won,” Highlanders coach Robbie Owens, unhappy with his team’s sluggish play, told Jim Lindgren of The San Diego Union.
The Highlanders were guilty of seven turnovers. “It goes to show you show you how tough Helix is to beat,” said Saints coach Joe Kremer.
The Saints had taken a 7-0 lead with: 22 left in the third quarter on Richard Colmenero’s 36-yard pass to Jalil Tucker.
D-I
The night’s most significant reversal took place in the hills near Campo Road in Spring Valley, home of No. l-ranked and 9-1 Steele Canyon.
Oceanside, a No. 9 seed, overcame a 19-0 shortfall 17 seconds into the third quarter and shocked the Cougars, 26-19 in overtime.
Rich Jaime’s touchdown gave Oceanside the lead on the first play of the extra session and, after a Steele Canyon first down, Pirates linebacker Jalen Ramsey stepped in front of a pass for a game-clinching interception.
Credit Don Norcross of the Union for the night’s most cogent quote, from Ramsey: “I used my IQ, read the back, read the quarterback’s eyes, and trusted myself to make a play.”
D-II
Another No. 1 got into trouble against a No. 9, but The Bishop’s stayed unbeaten at 11-0 and fought off Poway, 52-51.
No. 7 El Camino, comatose for much of the season, won its third straight game to even its record at 6-6 and shut down No. 2 San Pasqual, 42-21.
Two No. 4’s and 2 No. 5’s also prevailed against higher seeds.
SEEDINGS ACCURATE…GENERALLY
Sixty-eight teams qualified for the playoffs, including four in the 8-Man model, which Foothills Christian won. Forty-four games have been played from D-I to D-V and 32 teams with the lower (better) seed have moved to the next round.
(For complete results, seedings, and sites, go to the “Football” menu on the home page and search “Scores” followed by ”Years”).
AS OTHERS SEE US
Cal-Hi Sports
The Stockton-based newsletter moved Helix from eighth to seventh in California this week. Others in the top 50 are Carlsbad 22, Cathedral 23, St. Augustine 31, Mission Hills 45, and Lincoln 48. Madison is “on the bubble” and Steele Canyon dropped out.
By Max Preps:
Helix 13, Carlsbad 14, Cathedral 19, Mission Hills 24, St. Augustine 29, Lincoln 63, Madison 78.
By Cal preps.com:
Helix 59, Carlsbad 58.5, Cathedral 56.5, Mission Hills 52.5, St. Augustine 49.2, Lincoln 41.6, Madison 37.6.
