2009
James Logan clinches share of MVAL title
Filed Under (In the news) by Paul on 07-11-2009
By Jimmy Durkin, Oakland Tribune
It was a do-or-die play.
James Logan High quarterback Jonathan Willis lofted a pass down the right sideline for tight end Toni Pole. A Washington defender read the play and tried to jump the route for an interception.
He missed. Pole made the catch and raced 78 yards for the touchdown that sealed a 28-10 victory Friday over the Huskies at Tak Fudenna Stadium that clinched at least a share of the Mission Valley Athletic League title.
“We were setting up that play all game,” Pole said. “Run, run, run. Our coaches picked a perfect time to go for it. It was a great play call. As soon as I caught it, I knew it was a touchdown.”
The win avenges last year’s loss to Washington — the Huskies first in 10 years over Logan — and clinched the automatic berth to the North Coast Section playoffs.
Logan (7-3, 5-0 MVAL) opened the scoring on its first drive with a 27-yard field goal by Gustavo Ulloa. The Colts quickly got the ball back and took a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Willis to Pole.
Washington (6-3, 4-1) scored early in the second when it recovered a fumble to set up Josh Wilson’s 28-yard field goal to make it 10-3.
It stayed that way through halftime, but Logan started the third quarter with a flurry. After forcing a Washington punt, Willis found Joe Castro in stride on a 47-yard pass to get to the 1-yard line.
That set up a touchdown plunge by 280-pound offensive lineman Mister Simmons, who was lined up in the backfield, to make it 18-3.
Seven seconds after the score, the Colts got the ball back when Castro intercepted a deep pass by David Ross off a flea flicker.
Washington finally got a successful drive that ended with Ross’ 2-yard touchdown run to get the Huskies within striking range at 18-10.
Needing a stop on defense, Washington instead saw Pole streak down the sideline for the game-clinching TD.
