Chargers rally late to edge Ravens, 34-33

BALTIMORE, MD (11/30/2014) Trailing 27-33 with 2:22 left to play, Phillip Rivers led the San Diego Chargers on an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a one-yard screen pass to Eddie Royal for the game-winning touchdown. The Nick Novak extra point gave them their first and only lead of the game.

The Baltimore Ravens (7-5) had 38 seconds to attempt a game-winning drive, but the Chargers (8-4) held on for the much needed win, making them the first West Coast team to beat the Ravens on their home field.

Rivers completed 34 passes for 383 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The Chargers converted on their first eight third downs, finishing 9 for 7. The main target was Keenan Allen, who caught 11 passes for 121 yards and two scores. Malcom Floyd, Antonio Gates, and Royal contributed to the passing game with over 80 yards each.

College Football: Toreros eliminated from FCS Playoffs, Aztecs finish 6-0 at home

Toreros fall to Montana in hostile environment

MISSOULA, MONTANA (11/29/2014) Freshman receiver Justin Priest caught two touchdown passes during the final six minutes of the game. With 6:05 left to play, he caught a 27-yard halfback pass from Dallas Kessman. Following a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, he hauled in an 11-yarder from backup quarterback Trey Wheeler with 2:48 remaining.

But by then it was too little too late. The Montana Grizzlies (9-4) had already put up 52 points and it proved to be more than enough. The 52-14 victory advances the Grizzlies to the second round of the FCS Playoffs, where they'll meet Eastern Washington. For the University of San Diego Toreros, it ends their outstanding season with a 9-3 record.

The Toreros were held to 158 yards of offense while giving up 442. Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Jordan Canada rushed for 105 yards and put up two scores.

Video: St. Augustine holds off El Camino to clinch third straight championship berth

Senior CB Frank Buncom IV (#5) waits to return a punt in a foggy Merrill Douglas Stadium at Mesa College.

MESA COLLEGE (11/28/2014) The St. Augustine Saints (7-5) avoided a late rally by the El Camino Wildcats (7-6) to hold on for a 14-7 win in Friday night's semifinal matchup. The victory advances the Saints to the Division I Championship where they'll face off against the Madison Warhawks (9-3) next Friday at Southwestern College.

Junior running back Elijah Preston carried the ball 20 times and rushed for 126 yards and both Saints touchdowns. We caught up with him and head coach Richard Sanchez after the game.

2014 CIF San Diego Section Playoffs

The Madison Warhawks will take on the top-seeded La Costa Canyon Mavericks in the Division I semifinals.

Open Division

Quarterfinals (Nov. 21st)

#1 Oceanside 38, #8 Carlsbad 0.

#4 Mission Hills 38, #5 Eastlake 27.

#3 Helix 58, #6 Ramona 35.

#2 Cathedral Catholic 27, #7 Torrey Pines 0.

Semifinals (Nov. 28th)

#4 Mission Hills Grizzlies (9-2) at #1 Oceanside Pirates (11-0)

Last season's inaugural Open Division Championship participants will battle it out for the right to make a second appearance. Mission Hills have won five straight games since falling to Oceanside 42-16 in week 7. This game also marks the 21st straight season that the Pirates reached the semifinal round. 

#3 Helix Highlanders (9-2) at #2 Cathedral Catholic Dons (10-1)

Both teams will be looking to make their first Open Division Championship appearance in school history in a rematch from a week four contest that saw Cathedral edge Helix 9-7. The Highlanders have not appeared in a championship game since their state title run in 2011, while the defending Division I champion Dons are hoping to make it two in a row.

Open Division Championship (Dec. 6th) at Southwestern College

USD Toreros draw Montana for FCS Playoffs

The University of San Diego Toreros (9-2) will travel to Missoula, Montana to take on the 8-4 Grizzlies in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. The game takes place this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. pacific time and will air on ESPN 3.

USD football players, staff, and media members gathered inside the Warren Hospitality Suite at the Jenny Craig Pavilion to tune into the NCAA Division I FCS Selection Show where the matchup was announced. We caught up with head coach Dale Lindsey, senior receiver Brandon White, and linebacker Troy McClelland to get their reaction.

Cal Poly dominates USD in regular season finale, 34-3

TORERO STADIUM (11/22/2014) Quarterback Chris Brown ran for 93 yards and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Hines in the second quarter, while his second half replacement Dano Graves added another 94 yards on the ground and accounted for three more touchdowns as the Cal Poly Mustangs (7-5) handed the University of San Diego Toreros (9-2) their second loss in a 34-3 rout to close out the regular season.

USD will learn the opponent and location of their first round playoff game during the NCAA Division I FCS Selection Show airing on ESPN U and the Watch ESPN app on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. pacific time.

Prep Football: Madison advances to Division I semifinals

Madison players and staff meet in the middle of the field for a team prayer before their playoff contest vs. Point Loma.

After a 49-28 playoff win over the Point Loma Pointers (9-3), the Madison Warhawks (8-3) will travel to Carlsbad next week to take on top-seeded La Costa Canyon in the Division I semifinal round. 

We had the privilege of speaking with Warhawks head coach Rick Jackson, senior quarterback Kareem Coles and running back Isaiah Osborne. Check out the video below for their postgame reaction and highlights from the game.

Video: Toreros prep for regular season finale vs. Cal Poly

Fresh off last Saturday's thrilling last-second victory over Valparaiso, the 2014 Pioneer Football League champion University of San Diego Toreros (9-1, 7-1 PFL) get set to host the Cal Poly Mustangs (6-5) this Saturday, November 22nd in the final game of the regular season. The Toreros will be looking to clinch their first double-digit win season since 2006, when they finished 11-1 under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

2014 CIF San Diego Section Playoffs

The first round of the 2014 Open Division Playoffs will also be round two of the battle for Del Mar Heights Road when the Cathedral Catholic Dons (9-1) host the Torrey Pines Falcons (6-4) at Manchester Stadium on November 21st. The Dons edged the rival Falcons 8-7 in week three.

Open Division

Quarterfinals (Nov. 21st)

#8 Carlsbad at #1 Oceanside

#5 Eastlake at #4 Mission Hills

#6 Ramona at #3 Helix

#7 Torrey Pines at #2 Cathedral Catholic

Semifinals (Nov. 28th)

Open Division Championship (Dec. 6th)

Video: Toreros clinch PFL title after thrilling win over Valpo

Highlights from the University of San Diego Toreros' PFL title clinching win over the Valparaiso Crusaders.

Toreros avoid upset and clinch PFL title with last-second TD grab

TORERO STADIUM (11/15/2014) With Valparaiso leading 27-26 with just four seconds left to play, the University of San Diego Toreros (9-1, 7-1 PFL) needed a miracle and they got it.

Keith Williams’ 44-yard hail mary pass fell into the hands of senior Brandon White in the end zone as time expired, and the Toreros earned their eighth straight victory and the Pioneer Football League Championship, their third in the last four seasons.

The 32-27 win over the Crusaders (3-8, 1-6 PFL) also guarantees their first-ever bid in the FCS Playoffs.

Williams completed 19 of 33 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns, receiver Reggie Bell caught five passes for 110 yards, and White added five catches for 78 yards and two scores. Leading the ground game was Jonah Hodges, who broke the 1,000-yard mark after rushing for 168 yards on 20 carries. On defense, senior Troy McClelland posted six tackles (one for a loss) and an interception.

Video: Dale Lindsey prepares Toreros for "PFL title game"

The University of San Diego Toreros (8-1, 6-1 PFL) will be looking for it's eighth straight victory when the Valparaiso Crusaders (3-7, 1-5 PFL) come to town fresh off a 17-3 win over instate rival Butler.

A win for the Toreros would clinch at least a share of their third league title in four years. If Campbell pulls off an upset at Jacksonville, USD would earn the outright title and a berth in the FCS Playoffs.

2014 Prep Football Rankings (Playoffs)

As we head into the CIF Playoffs, we give you our final rankings from the 2014 regular season. All ranked teams have a bye this week and are scheduled to open postseason play on Nov. 21st.

Video: Toreros prevail over Morehead State

 

 

TORERO STADIUM (11/08/2014) Sophomore running back Jonah Hodges ran for 160 yards and two scores as the University of San Diego Toreros (8-1, 6-1 PFL) defeated the Morehead State Eagles (3-7, 2-5 PFL) Saturday afternoon to earn their seventh straight win.

Prep Football: El Cap captures Grossmont Hills crown, Warhawks soar above Western League, six teams stay perfect, and more!

 

Are the Vaqueros an Open Division team in Division II team's clothing?

The El Capitan Vaqueros (10-0, 5-0) capped off their perfect regular season with a 24-17 come-from-behind win over the Helix Highlanders (8-2, 4-1) Friday night to clinch the outright championship of the Grossmont Hills League. The big win ended the Highlanders' five-year reign of East County dominance at 31 wins.

While the Highlanders are set to compete in the Open Division Playoffs as the No. 3 seed, the Vaqueros will have to "settle" for the No. 1 seed in the Division II bracket. With six of their 10 wins coming against Division I opponents (including three that are in the top 11 of the Power Rankings that decides the playoff seedings), El Capitan looks to be more deserving of a berth in the Open Division.

Prep Football Games to Watch (Week 11): League Championship Edition

Madison High will be one of many venues around the county where league champions are crowned this Friday.

Winning seasons, perfect seasons, league titles, playoff berths, and hometown bragging rights will all be on the line during a stacked regular season finale. Here's a preview of six "winner take all" league championship games that could make this upcoming Friday night of football one of the best in San Diego Section history.

Video: Toreros' PFL title hopes given new life

 

After yet another thrilling come-from-behind win, the University of San Diego Toreros (7-1, 5-1 PFL) are two more away from their sixth Pioneer Football League title and a possible bid in the FCS playoffs, but first they must get past Morehead State and Valparaiso, who are both very capable of playing the spoiler role.

First up are the Morehead State Eagles (3-6, 2-4 PFL), who will be looking to bounce back from a 62-52 loss at Butler. This will be the 10th meeting between the two teams with the Toreros owning a 9-0 advantage in the series. Last season USD rolled to a 56-3 victory at Morehead, Kentucky.

2014 Prep Football Rankings: Week 11

The #8 Christian Patriots remain unbeaten after clinching the Central League title last Friday.

Games of the Week

Grossmont Hills League Championship

#3 Helix Highlanders (8-1) at #4 El Capitan Vaqueros (9-0)

Avocado East League Championship

#5 Mission Hills Grizzlies (7-2) at #7 San Marcos Knights (9-0)

Toreros rally to end Drake's PFL home streak

Junior FB Chris Campano (#23) caught the game-clinching touchdown pass with 1:21 left to play.

 

DES MOINES, IOWA (11/01/2014) With Jacksonville dropping their first Pioneer Football League game of the season at Marist, the stakes grew a bit higher during an already critical league contest.

The University of San Diego Toreros (7-1, 5-1 PFL) needed 17 unanswered points to come away with a 17-14 win over the Drake Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2 PFL), earning a first place tie with Jacksonville in the PFL standings.

Trailing 14-10 with under two minutes left to play, quarterback Keith Williams' led the USD offense on a 13-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard go-ahead touchdown strike to fullback Chris Campano, giving USD it's first and only lead with 1:21 left to play.

The Torero defense, who forced three-and-outs on the previous five Drake possessions, came through with another huge stop. This time it was a turnover on downs that put an end to the Bulldog's streak of 19 straight league wins at home.

Video: Petty propels unbeaten #10 Christian to Central League title

 Despite sitting out the entire second half, Christian RB Adrian Petty (#5) rushed for 178 yards and four touchdowns.

 

 

UNIVERSTY CITY (10/31/2014) Powered by a monster performance from junior running back Adrian Petty, the No. 10 Christian Patriots (9-0, 3-0) clinched their second straight Central League title after cruising to a 42-6 win over the University City Centurions (5-4, 2-1).