Fallbrook retained the Titan Shield and won the Varsity Red Division in Southern California with a snappily-taken 33-20 defeat of Torrey Pines in the final Saturday night.

The win capped off a six-game win streak following their opening-week loss to Cathedral Catholic December 19.

“We were rocky in that game but we started to get it together after that,” said Fallbrook captain Steven Branham. “We just started to play better off each other and be more confident with each other. That was the key.”

Fallbrook in white, Torrey Pines in red. Photos by Klute Images.

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Fallbrook worked the kick-and-chase game beautifully in the final, putting themselves into Torrey Pines territory and them applying pressure. Ian Crilly powered over after six minutes for a 7-0 lead, and Branham did the same six minutes later for a 14-0 lead. Torrey Pines worked the phases to get into scoring position and, after Fallbrook were penalized, slotted the goal to make it 14-3. Then Torrey Pines scored again, punishing a Fallbrook mistake to make it 14-8.

Fallbrook had beaten and injury- and illness-hit Torrey Pines 51-0 earlier in the season. This game would not be like that one.

“They were a lot more consistent in attack,” said Branham. “They retained possession well. Our kicking game was just really strong.”

The fall brook captain would score his second try of the game early in the second half to extend Fallbrook’s lead, and then scrumhalf Ricky Stephens sneaked over to make it 28-8. One more Fallbrook try put it at 33-8 with five minutes to go.

Torrey Pines did not let up and scored two quick tries to edge closer at 33-20, but there was just too much deficit to make up.

“Torrey Pines played a tough match,” said Fallbrook Head Coach Mike Majewski. “But Fallbrook played an educated tactical game, and it paid off.”

Fallbrook doesn’t have much time to rest up. They will take a couple of weekends off and then start the SoCal club season with a match at Back Bay.

While many players from single-school teams now merge into clubs (Torrey Pines and Cathedral will make up most of the San Diego Mustangs, for example), Fallbrook retains the same group of players.

“It’s an advantage and a disadvantage,” said Branham. “They are like an all-star team, with the top players from each team coming together. But we’ve been together the whole season, and we know each other. We won’t have to adjust to new players coming in. It’s a challenge to play those clubs, but we’re up for it.”