Woodland Christian 23, Banning 13: Live update recap — Cardinals complete unbeaten season
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA — Banning opened Saturday's game with a 70-yard drive that concluded with a touchdown in less than two minutes.
The next three touchdowns came from Woodland Christian as the Cardinals scored 23 straight to capture the CIF Division 5-A state title.
Woodland Christian junior Devin Herrera opened the scoring for the Cardinals with a one-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second quarter. The Cardinals added a second touchdown when Gabe Sanchez found Ethan Johns from eight yards out midway through the second quarter. Woodland Christian was able to convert their 2-point conversion attempt, taking a 15-6 lead into the halftime break.
Banning opened the second half by turning the ball over on downs from their own 45-yard line. Equipped with great field position, Woodland Christian capitalized with a second touchdown rush by Devin Herrera to take a 23-6 lead.
Banning was unable to put together a sustained drive in the second half until late in the fourth quarter. The Pilots finished their 64-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run by sophomore Kamari Westley.
The ensuing onside kick attempt appeared to be recovered by Banning after the ball bounced off a Woodside Christian player but following a discussion, the referees awarded the ball to the Cardinals.
Woodside Christian was able to run out the clock with two first downs, claiming their first CIF State title.
Full box score from Woodland Christian's 23-13 win over Banning
Courtesy CIF
PREGAME: Sac-Joaquin Section Division 7 champion Woodland Christian takes on LA City Section Division 1 champion Banning in the CIF State 5-A championship game at El Camino College.
Woodland Christian's unbeaten season includes seven shutouts in 14 games. Banning beat Crenshaw 35-28 in the LA City Section championship game and has won five straight games.
Both teams are playing in their first CIF State championship game.
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LIVE UPDATES BELOW
Kickoff set for 3 p.m. ...
FOURTH QUARTER
- Woodland Christian is able to run out the clock with Banning out of timeouts.
- Banning initially recovered the ensuing onside kick but the referees gave possession to Woodland Christian following a lengthy discussion
Woodland Christian 23, Banning 13 (3:58) — Banning's best drive of the second half results in a touchdown. Kamari Westley found the end zone with a three-yard run up the middle.
- Each team has turned the ball over on downs to begin the final quarter. Woodland Christian takes over from the Banning 41-yard line.
- Woodland Christian will begin the fourth quarter from their own 46-yard line.
THIRD QUARTER
- Banning drove across midfield but turned the ball over on downs from the Woodland Christian 29-yard line.
Woodland Christian 23, Banning 6 (5:54) — Woodland Christian used more than half of the third quarter on their opening drive of the second half. Devin Herrera took a direct snap and scored from one yard out to complete the drive. Herrera followed up his touchdown by scoring the 2-point conversion to give the Cardinals a 17-point lead.
SECOND QUARTER
- Woodland Christian tried to increase their lead before the half but an overthrown pass is intercepted by Banning on 4th down. Woodland Christian will receive the second half kickoff.
Woodland Christian 15, Banning 6 (5:00) — Woodland Christian cashed in on their good field position. Quarterback Gabe Sanchez connected with Ethan Johns for an eight-yard touchdown strike. The PAT gives the Cardinals a two possession lead.
- Woodland Christian converted a 4th down and 2 from the Banning 26-yard line to keep their drive alive. The Cardinals have a fresh set of downs from the Banning 13-yard line with 6:18 remaining in the first half.
- Banning went for it on 4th down and 4 from their own 45-yard line but were stopped for no gain.
Woodland Christian 8, Banning 6 (11:45) — Banning needed to plays in the second quarter to score. Devin Herrera took a direct snap and dove in from one yard out. The Cardinals followed up by converting the 2-point conversion to take the lead.
FIRST QUARTER
- Woodland Christian opted to go for it on 4th down and 4, but their pass fell incomplete. Banning takes over with great field position on the Woodland Christian 39-yard line.
Banning 6, Woodland Christian 0 (10:15) — Banning needed less than two minutes to finish off their opening drive. Ryan Deangelis took a handoff and scored from two yards out. PAT no good.
