Victorious Dons face undefeated Helix

Dons at start of game vs. Torrey

Dons at start of game vs. Torrey

Orry Marciano, Staff Writer

Almost one week ago the Cathedral Catholic Don’s football team faced off against the Torrey Pines Falcons, a team from the same Del Mar neighborhood preparing for a great matchup. As the game opened up in Manchester stadium, many Dons fans and the Dons audience prepared for a game they were most excited to start.

The first quarter began with the Falcons kicking off to the Dons, and it remained scoreless with about three minutes to go. The Dons had the ball on their own 45 but soon give it away to Torrey Pines on Falcon’s 22. In under a minute the Dons regained possession of the ball at the Falcon’s 27 yard line and soon ended up inside the 20, leading to the end of the first quarter. Torrey Pines 0, Cathedral Catholic 0.

The second quarter continued on the opposite side of the field with the Dons now on the Falcon 19 yard line but unable to convert, and the Falcons got the ball at their own 8-yard line. Less than a minute later the Dons regained possession at their own 45, beginning a four minute scoring drive to the Torrey Pines 20 yard line again in the first half. Unable to get a conversion, the Dons kicker, #17 Tim Semenza, kicked a 35-yard field goal, finally putting points on the board in Manchester stadium. End of first half: Torrey Pines 0, Cathedral Catholic 3.

As the second half started, the Dons kicked off to Torrey Pines, and the Falcons began on their own 17-yard line. Falcons #6 Christian Gange ended up scoring an 83-yard rushing touchdown, starting off the third quarter with a Falcon lead of 7-3. Torrey Pines 7, Cathedral Catholic 3.

Entering into the fourth quarter with a four-point deficit, the Dons and Falcons continued a scoreless game until there were six minutes left in the game. With Torrey Pines at their own 14-yard line, they made a botched snap, and Cathedral Catholic scored a safety off of the error, brining the score to 7-5, Torrey Pines in the lead. With about only four minutes left in the game, the Dons were inside the Falcon’s 20-yard line. To win the game the Dons needed to score at least a field goal, which became the exact case when #17 Tim Semenza took the field and kicked a 15-yard field goal, putting the Dons in the lead for the first time since the second quarter.

Final score: Torrey Pines 7, Cathedral Catholic, 8.

Tonight at 7, the Dons go on to face Helix (La Mesa, CA) on Manchester field. Helix has an overall (2-0) record and is ranked 14th in the state, compared to the Dons who have an overall (2-1) record and are ranked 17th in the state.

Be sure to follow @ElCidSports on Twitter for updates on the game and the Dons’ season.