Football: Taft defeats San Fernando, 40-17
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
USC-bound running back D.J. Morgan rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns in 25 carries as third-seeded host Taft relied on a second-half scoring surge to defeat sixth-seeded San Fernando, 40-17, in a muddy City Section Championship Division quarterfinal on Wednesday night.
Like usual, Morgan was the difference for the Toreadors (11-1), scoring two first-half touchdowns before scoring on runs of four and 50 yards in the second half. The junior speedster would have had even more yards if it hadn’t been for two Taft holding penalties that spoiled a couple of potential scoring runs.
“D.J. once again got the job done for us,” Taft coach Matt Kerstetter said. “It’s such a good feeling to know that we’ll be moving on and to get the chance to prove what this team can do.”
Taft will play at second-seeded San Pedro, which beat Venice on Wednesday, in the semifinals Dec. 5.
Of course, Morgan wasn’t the only Taft standout. Senior Kalan Booker opened the second half with an 85-yard kickoff return and also had a fourth quarter interception. Quarterback Bam Goodall also played well, completing six of nine passes for 123 yards.
San Fernando (8-4) managed to keep things close in the first half, but it struggled offensively in the final 24 minutes. Quarterback Rashaad Reynolds completed six of 15 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on an 11-yard run in the final minute.
Tigers’ running back Daniel Lopez was held to 94 yards in 15 carries despite coming into the game off back-to-back 200-yard performances.
For the first time in school history, the Tigers had a single-season 1,000-yard passer (Reynolds), rusher (Lopez) and receiver (Leon Jones).
-- Austin Knoblauch
