It’s been nine long years since Redondo claimed a Bay League title in football but the Sea Hawk defense helped end the drought Friday night with a strong effort in a home victory against rival Mira Costa.
The 13-6 win created a three-way tie for first place in the Bay League with Redondo (6-4, 4-1), Mira Costa (7-3, 4-1) and Palos Verdes (6-4, 4-1). It is Redondo’s first Bay League title since it shared the crown with Palos Verdes in 2007.
Because each team is in a different division in the CIF-Southern Section, all three will enter next week’s playoffs as the first-place team out of the Bay League and likely have first-round home games. Pairings will be announced Sunday at cifss.org.
For the third straight year, Redondo will hold onto the coveted surfboard, the perpetual trophy presented to the winner of the Redondo-Mira Costa game known as the Battle at the Beach.
“We had some frustrating, self-inflicted mistakes, and it’s possible our emotions and the intensity of the moment got to us at times,” Redondo head coach Matt Ballard stated. “However, our boys were able to dig deep, and do some character inventory.”
The game was supposed the showcase two of the premier running backs in the area, but Mira Costa’s Justin Goring sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and could not return to the game after gaining 63 yards on 10 carries.
Redondo junior running back Jermar Jefferson, however, continued to display his skills providing much of the offense for the Sea Hawks gaining 123 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Jefferson’s 60-yard touchdown on the Sea Hawks second offensive play gave Redondo an early 7-0 lead.
Mira Costa pulled to within one point when the Jonah Tavai powered his way for a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter but a missed extra point attempt kept the Mustangs short.
Redondo answered quickly when Jefferson scored on a 14-yard touchdown run following a Julian Woodard 55-yard kickoff return. A blocked extra point gave Redondo a 13-6 halftime lead.
Both defenses stepped up in the second half with Redondo twice keeping Mira Costa out of the end zone after the Mustangs were in first-and-goal situations.
A third-quarter drive by Mira Costa was stopped when sophomore lineman Brandon Dickson recovered a fumble forced by junior linebacker Aaron Hatfield.
Late in the fourth quarter, Hatfield again rose to the occasion. With Mira Costa facing a second-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Hatfield’s tackle for a 3-yard loss forced the Mustangs to go to the air. After two incomplete passes, Redondo took over and ran out the clock.
“We always have a good game plan going into a game. It’s up to the players to work together as a team and execute,” Hatfield said. “Our coaches put us in the right spot to win.”
Redondo quarterback Jack Alexander was efficient completing 7 of 10 passes for 44 yards with no interceptions.
Goring’s replacement, Vashon Hill, rushed for 82 yards on 22 carries and Mustang quarterback Reed Vabrey finished completing 4 of 13 passes for 83 yards and no interceptions.
“We made a few first downs when we desperately needed them and our defense came up big with two clutch and gritty goal line stands,” Ballard said. “It was an all-around selfless team effort and, although the road has not been easy, the willingness of our players to be ‘coachable’ and continue to improve was evident.”
Jefferson was named Redondo’s Offensive Player of the Game, Hatfield eearned defensive Player of the Game honors, senior kicker/punter Trevor Bowens was the Special Teams Player of the Game and Woodard was named Scout “Eager Beaver” Player of the Week.
Redondo entered the week ranked No. 10 in Division 4 while Mira Costa held the No. 6 spot in Division 6.
Palos Verdes won its rivalry game with a 35-0 shutout against visiting Peninsula and is on the bubble of breaking into the top ten in Division 3.
“We begin a second season next week, where every week could be our last,” Ballard said. “The details of the sport magnify in playoffs, so it’s time to set the bar even higher, and let nothing slide.”
