“Never forget. You are champions.”-Coach, David Rodriquez

La Mirada CA— Oceanside dug themselves a hole early they couldn’t climb out of, Friday night, in their 36-14, CIF State Championship Bowl Series, loss to La Mirada High School.
After an Oceanside three and out on their opening possession, the La Mirada Matadores scored on their first possession powering through the Pirate defense going 56 yards on 11 plays.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Pirates fumbled and turned the ball over deep in their own territory. The Pirate defense was able to hold La Mirada to a field goal, 0-10.
Another three and out by the Pirate offense led to the Matadores next score. Jake Geradi’s punt was blocked and recovered in the end-zone by Elijah Hicks giving La Mirada a 0-17 lead with just 2:20 remaining in the first quarter.

It would have been easy for the Pirates to fold after a devastating series of miscues but they didn’t give up. Oceanside went 80 yards in five plays on their next possession with a key 56- yard reception by Isiah Paopao. On the next play, Tevin Meadows broke free and scampered 27 yards for the touchdown, 7-17.

On the Matadores next possession, Oceanside’s Aziz Hearn stepped in front of a pass intended for Andrew Anderson and made the interception to stop another scoring threat. The Pirates couldn’t muster any offense and capitalize on the turnover.
After the punt, the Pirate defense had the Matadores on their heels with a 3rd down and 19 yards to go but let the opportunity slip away when La Mirada Quarterback, Tristan Meyer hit Sei-j Lauago on a screen pass and he rumbled for 46 yards and the first down. That led to a 37-yard field goal with 4:44 left to play in the half, 7-20.
A questionable call lead to two more points for La Mirada. The Matadores were poised to score when Julian Hicks intercepted Tristan Meyer and fell in the end-zone. Hicks was ruled down at the two yard-line, however, and the Pirates took over from there. A procedure call moved the ball half the distance to the goal line and on the next play, the Matadores stuffed Tevin Meadows in the end zone for the safety.

Julian Hicks intercepts Tristan Meyer click on any image to enlarge photo

Oceanside began the second half with another turnover as Beardsley was intercepted deep in Pirate territory and the ball was returned to the one-yard line. La Mirada scored on the next play to increase the deficit 7-29.
The Pirates would make it interesting after Beardsley hit Julian Hicks at the La Mirada 16 for a 22-yard reception and Beardsley would strike again, two plays later, hitting Ronan Ivanovich for the touchdown, 14-29.
That is as close as the Pirates would get after a time killing drive by La Mirada would make the final score 14-36.
In his first season as Pirate Head Coach, David Rodriquez told his team after the game “Never forget. You are champions. That will never, ever be taken away from you.” continued the coach “I know that doesn’t take away the bitter sting of defeat.” He told the seniors on the team “I am forever grateful to you. For having the faith, for coming through, defending the honor and waving the black flag of the Oceanside Pirates.”
Holding up the game trophy he told the underclassmen,” I’m going to hang this up for you all to see and remind you what it’s all about. Next year it’s going to be the bigger trophy.”

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Photos: Steve Marcotte/OsideNews