Posts by sethgustine

U18s began their promising season with a two day kickoff camp in Solana Beach .Their first foe was stout one, old nemesis Carlsbad Thunder in a league game in Carlsbad. The game featured the one two halfback punch of Spencer Huntley and Rocco Pool who pressured the Thunder all day with their kicking, and the 18s prevailed 29-13.

Next up was Back Bay, a young team on the rise, but no match for the 18s who prevailed 51-7. A Friday fixture up the 15 against an always formidable SOC Raptors saw the 18s come out again on top, 31-21. Back home for their toughest match of the season against Belmont Shore. The 18s controlled territory the whole game, and prevailed 28-17, bumping them up to #2 nationally.

The league shuffled the schedule in mid season and the 18s welcomed the Thunder at home squeeking by in a much tougher match, 28-21. Two fairly easy wins concluded league play, Rancho Cucamonga 60-0, and the Wallabies 53-0.

The playoffs pitted the 18s against the Thunder for a third time in the semifinals. Trailing 6-3 at half, the 18s roared back, winning 29-18. The SCYR final matched the 18s against their old adversaries, Belmont Shore, who won the crown in convincing fashion, 35-7.

The 18s were seeded #6 and opened against #Pendleton from Indiana. A near perfect half saw the 18s up 24-7 at the break. Pendleton made the right adjustments, caught some breaks but the 18s held on for a 33-31 victory propelling them into the semifinal. They faced a rock solid Charlotte Cardinal team who took advantage of an early red card and won going away 31-12. The third place game matchup was all too familiar Belmont Shores. Despite leading nearly the entire game, Belmont caught the 18s with 3 minutes left, and won on a last minute try. The 18s proudly left the pitch for the final time fourth in the country.

Coach Matty Sandoval