With nationally recognized quarterback Carson Glazier sidelined for the second half due to injury, the San Marino Titans rallied from a 35-14 fourth quarter deficit to shock Sierra Canyon 36-35 and win the CIF State Regional championship Saturday night in raucous Titan Stadium.
Head Coach Mike Hobbie kept his offense on the field after Mark Wicke scored on a one-yard run with just over a minute to play that pulled San Marino within a point at 35-34. Wicke then launched himself over the goal line for the two point conversion that eventually won the game, but not before the Trailblazers made one final push.
“I had long made up my mind that we were going for two,” Hobbie said after the contest. “The overtime format used by the CIF greatly favored their style of offense. I wanted to get it right there.”
While everyone who entered the field of play contributed to the victory, full marks to sophomore quarterback Blake Cabot, who completed 7 of 11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, all in the game’s final 10 minutes, to spark the comeback as the Titans improved to 15-0 and head to Sacramento on Saturday for the State title game.
“I knew we could do it,” said senior J.P. Shohfi, who was on the field for all but a handful of plays. “We never stopped believing.”
Shohfi caught 10 passes for 232 yards and now leads the nation in receiving yards.
Michael Chan rushed for 97 yards that provided offensive stability while Hobbie searched for a game plan to install in Glazier’s absence. He found one.
“This was a team win if there ever was one,” said the coach. “Everybody contributed.”
Cabot credited the large deficit for his uncannily calm approach.
“We were so far behind that there was really no pressure,” Cabot said. “I just did what I could and really didn’t think about it.”
Ahhh – the power of the uncluttered mind.
See this Friday’s print edition or sanmarinotribune.com for more.
