Find a replacement for injured one-of-a-kind wide receiver Alijah Royster?
Not going to happen.
Find a substitute capable of a big play for the postseason?
The Pacifica High football team dipped into its stable of sure-handed pass catchers for one of the biggest moments of its CIF-Southern Section Division 3 first-round home game on Friday, Nov. 7.
Tyler Stewart, who had only caught four passes this season, pulled in a 67-yard TD reception in a key moment of Pacifica’s 42-21 win over visiting Oak Hills.
It came just 17 seconds after Oak Hills had tied the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a 57-yard run by quarterback Jacob Webster.
Pacifica would close out the half with a 28-7 lead.
Quarterback Tayler Lee completed 13 of 18 passes for 280 yards and four TDs. He set a school record for most season TD passes with 42. He had shared the record of 37 with R.J. Maria.
Isaiah Phelps rushed for 78 yards and two TDs. On defense, Phelps had 15 tackles to raise his season total to 151.
Next for unbeaten Pacifica (11-0) is a quarterfinal home game against No. 1 seed Bishop Amat on Nov. 14.
“Tyler is a program guy,” said Pacifica head coach Mike Moon of Stewart. “He’s one of those kids who does everything right.”
Stewart gave a glimpse of what was to become with a 44-yard TD pass in his only reception last week in Pacifica’s win over Bishop Diego in the Marmonte League championship game.
“We have a great core of receivers and a great quarterback,” said Stewart, whose main playing time has come on the defensive side of the field. “Our great defensive backs help to get us better.”
Stewart finished with three catches for 76 yards.
A 45-yard pass from Lee to Anthony Jacobs Jr. on Pacifica’s second possession led to the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Phelps.
Pacifica put together a 13-play, 90-yard drive midway into the second quarter, capped by a 17-yard catch by Will Jones Jr. for a 21-7 lead with 7:36 left.
Jacobs made it 28-7 with a 48-yard TD catch. Jacobs had five catches for 161 yards and two TDs.
Oak Hills (8-3) had won 58 of its last 68 games entering Friday’s game.
“We saw them on film and weren’t scared of them,” said Stewart. “Today I just played my game.”
Moon has taken his team to the postseason in 12 of his 13 seasons. The only exception was the COVID-shortened 2020 season when teams just played five games.
Some of his seniors have 10 playoff games under their belts.
“Our culture has paid off in the playoffs,” Moon said. “This is nothing new to us. We tell our younger players that if you’re feeling nervous, talk to someone.”
If there were any nerves, it didn’t show.
“Our offense stole the show,” Moon said. “Whenever Oak Hills made a play, we made a big play. (Offensive coordinator) Eric Diaz had a good game plan.
“I didn’t like how we came out in the second half. We didn’t do what we wanted. We were able to get on track.”
Phelps scored on a 7-yard run and Jacobs made a 67-yard TD catch in the second half.
Deville Warner had 15 tackles and one fumble recovery for the Tritons.
Tension came to a boil with 3:07 left in the game. Referees and coaches were able to restrain players from a serious confrontation. Officials stopped the game and let the clock run out.
“None of our kids threw any punches,” said Moon, “and the referees said the same thing.”
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Football | Perfect Pacifica passes first-round Division 3 playoff test
Reporting by Derry Eads / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
