The connection between quarterback Jack Alexander and receiver Julian Woodard was firing on all cylinders Friday night leading Redondo to a home victory in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 playoffs.
The duo who, along with Jordan Jackson are referred to as the “3 Js” that transferred from St. John Bosco, teamed for three touchdowns passes as Redondo (7-4) held off a third-quarter rally by visiting Cajon to record a 43-24 victory. The Sea Hawks advance to the quarterfinals where they will host top-seeded Sierra Canyon (11-0) Friday at 7 p.m.
“Our offense had its best game of the season being efficient, consistent and explosive,” Redondo head coach Matt Ballard said. “It was awesome to see them firing on all cylinders, and playing with passion. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as the defense struggled.”
Redondo jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on Alexander’s 20-yard touchdown run and his 31-yard scoring pass to Diego Balcarcel.
After Cajon got on the scoreboard,. Redondo held a 21-8 lead at halftime with Woodard’s 24-yard touchdown catch.
“Julian and I are like brothers,” Alexander said. “We worked out a lot in the offseason and it’s nice to see that the hard work is paying off.”
Cajon came alive in the third quarter outscoring Redondo 16-7 to close the gap 28-24 but 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and two forced turnovers by the Sea Hawks defense preserved the victory for Redondo who is riding a modest four-game winning streak.
Alexander was named Redondo’s Offensive Player of the Game after completing 18 of 23 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns and also running for a 20-yard touchdown. Woodard had eight receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Jermar Jefferson gained 73 yards on 22 carries including a 1-yard touchdown run late in the game.
“Playing Sierra Canyon will be a big challenge for us,” Ballard said. “They are undefeated and a very well coached football team. If we are going to have a complete game, it will be needed this week. We still have our best football to be played, and great teams will rally together in playoffs to demand more of one another, pick each other up, and play for the love of their brothers, knowing that any game could be their last.”
Balcarcel earned Defensive Player of the Game honors while junior lineman Jesus Ramirez was selected the Scout “Eager Beaver” Player of the Week.
Across town in Manhattan Beach, Mira Costa wasn’t enjoying the same type of success as rival Redondo. The injury-riddled Mustangs, who were playing without standout running back Justin Goring who suffered a knee injury the previous week at Redondo, could ill afford to give Paramount any extra help.
But seven turnovers proved to be the downfall of Mira Costa (7-4) who lost its CIF-SS Division 6 opening-round game to Paramount 49-21.
Paramount led the entire game after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Mira Costa sophomore quarterback Reed Vabrey scored on a 5-yard run but a missed extra-point attempt kept the Mustangs behind 7-6.
Another touchdown by Paramount was followed with a score by Mira Costa’s Jonah Tavai, who found pay dirt on a 27-yard pass play from Vabrey.
The 14-13 deficit increased for Mira Costa when Paramount returned a punt 74 yards to the end zone – one of three special teams touchdowns scored by the Pirates.
Touchdown passes of 60 and 57 yards gave Paramount a 35-13 lead at halftime and the Pirates never looked back.
In Division 3, Palos Verdes recorded a 38-37 victory over St. Francis in a game played at San Pedro High School.
Palos Verdes (7-3), the third first-place representative out of the Bay League, will travel to Los Alamitos (8-3) in its quarterfinal game on Friday.
A St. Francis interception in the end zone gave the Golden Knights a flicker of hope. Quarterback Michael Bonds drove the team downfield connecting on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining in regulation.
Choosing to go for the win with a 2-point conversion, St. Francis’ pass attempt was broken up by Adison Umrarong to give the Sea Kings the victory.
Along with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Umrarong rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.
Other South Bay teams advancing in the CIF-SS playoff were Pioneer League champion Leuzinger along with El Segundo and Lawndale who both shared the Ocean League title with Culver City.
El Segundo quarterback Jake Palmer scored on a 5-yard run with 26 seconds left to give the Eagles a 17-10 home victory over Anaheim Canyon in the first round of the Division 7 playoffs.
El Segundo (10-1) will play at Golden Valley (7-4) Friday night.
In an all-South Bay match up, the Lawndale Cardinals flew by visiting West Torrance 48-14 behind the performance of quarterback Jalen Hamler.
Hamler completed 10 of 17 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns for Lawndale (7-4) who will host Summit (10-1) in the quarterfinals.
Leuzinger (9-2) escaped with a 43-36 home victory over Apple Valley scoring on a 52-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left. The Olympians will play at JW North (5-6) in the quarterfinals on Friday.
For complete results and brackets, visit cifss.org.
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