Brian S. Arrington
Editor-In-Chief
Carson, CA – In a game that many Corona Centennial (12-3, 5-0) fans will have thoughts of, “what if…” It was a number of untimely turnovers in second half of the game that ultimately cost the Huskies any change at a victory over perennial power, De La Salle Spartans. In the end, Centennial fell to the Spartans, 63-42 at StubHub Center, in the Open Division of the 2014 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games presented by Farmers. The game would prove to be the highest scoring state bowl game in history.
In a season marked with uphill battles for Centennial—whom played their first season in the private school heavy, dominate, Pac-5 Division. Just to make it to the State Bowl, the Huskies needed to defeat Serra, Mater Dei, Bishop Amat, and St. John Bosco, whom just so happened to be the defending National Champions, with 4-star UCLA commit, Quarterback Josh Rosen.
In the State Bowl, a game that began at laser speed, the Huskies finished the night with 534 yards of total offense and actually held the lead early in the second quarter. De La Salle was first on the board, as Andrew Hernandez scored on a 15 yard run. It took less than a minute for Centennial to respond, as Junior Quarterback Anthony Catalano scored on a 35 yard run.
Additional Huskies putting points on the board included, Senior Quarterback Nate Ketteringham scored on a 16 yard run. Junior Running back Sammonte Boner scored on a 5 yard run. One of the standout players of the night, Junior Wide receiver Javon McKinley would score on an 87 yard pass from Catalano; a 25 yard pass from Ketteringham and a 92 yard kickoff return.
Kept out of the end zone, was JJ “Dynamite” Taylor, whom was making his return to the team after missing three of the teams playoff games this season. But Taylor would make an impact, providing big blocks for his teammates and finishing with 200 total yards of offense, 133 yards rushing, 9 yards receiving and 58 yards on kick returns.
But in the end, it was interceptions on Catalano, and Ketteringham passes, and a fumble by Ketteringham that would turn the tide for De La Salle. As the game was tied 42-42 in the third, with 5:07 left, De La Salle would run off 21 unanswered points to claim their sixth state title and run their record again Centennial to 3-1.
(Writer: @iecoachb)
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