In a tight, dramatic Southern California Varsity Red game, La Costa Canyon clinched 1st in the San Diego conference with a 14-13 win over Torrey Pines.

It was senior night at Torrey Pines, (free hotdogs for the first 100 students, teacher appreciation night) and with two 4-0 teams meeting up, there was a huge crowd at the game.

Top photo Kevin Wilson. The rest are thanks to Anna Scipione.

Torrey Pines flanker and captain Jackson Baere got the ball rolling seven minutes into the first half with the first of two penalty kicks to put Torrey Pines up 3-0. The two teams slugged it out down the middle of the field as smothering defenses kept the centers and wings from running freely. After Baere's second penalty kick, La Costa Canyon's HS All American center Sean Lumkong sold a dummy and broke through the Torrey Pines line for a long run. Lumkong was he was being covered and so passes smartly to Collin Castro, who scored wide. Scrumhalf Nico Gilli put the conversation just over the crossbar from the sideline to make it 7-6 for the Mavericks.

La Costa kept the pressure on Torrey Pines, with Petersen and Lumkong breaking through on occasion. Frequent and sometimes spectacular kicks by Torrey Pines flyhalf Matthew Goena repeatedly got the Falcons out of trouble. With the backline relatively quiet, the ground-gaining fell more to the Torrey Pines forwards, and prop Michael Perrone inspired his teammates with several strong runs.

La Costa was playing with confidence in the opening minutes of the second half, and started a dangerous sequence at midfield.

The first ten minutes of the second half, territory and possession were evenly split.  LCC were threatening the Torrey line, when fullback Anton Schuh pounced on an ill-advised LCC pass for the intercept.  He went 50 meters before offloading to Carson Ward who scored under the poles.  Baere Jackson made the conversion and Torrey Pines was in the lead 13-7. 

It was clear points would be at a premium, and both teams struggled to avoid penalty trouble, as referee Tim Lew pinged the two squads for 26 penalties on the night.

Torrey Pines got themselves in scoring position numerous times only to turn the ball over deep in the LCC 22.  An uncharacteristic miss in an uncontested lineout five meters from the LCC tryline relieved the pressure on the Mavericks, and some furious tackling kept a determined Torrey Pines from scoring.  Torrey Pines remained camped in the LCC territory and with only two minutes in the game Torrey Pines was awarded a penalty thirty five yards out. The Falcons opted for the lineout, rather than a penalty attempt. The kick for touch was missed, and LCC had one more shot.

Gilli kicked deep, driving the ball perfectly just outside the Torrey Pines 22, and the counter kick went directly into touch, so LCC had the lineout on the Torrey Pines 22.  LCC threw everything they had left at Torrey Pines, but three infringements in a row by Torrey Pines led to a yellow card for No. 8 Blake Richards-Smith. With tension mounting with every phase, and down a player, Torrey Pines continued to defend. But then, with no time left, Gilli picked the ball off the base of a ruck, faked a pass that pulled the pillar defender out of position, and dove over for the try. The scrumhalf then slotted the conversion to put his side ahead 14-13.

The Mavericks fans stormed the field thinking the game was over because the scoreboard said no time left. But the referee keeps the official time, and the fans were cleared away to allow the restart. LCC gathered the kick, booted to touch, and the game ended.

"This was a great match between two quality rugby schools," said La Costa Canyon Coach Reuben Spilkin. "It could have gone either way."

"LCC's greater experience allowed them to capitalize on our numerous breakdowns," added Torrey Pines Coach Matty Sandoval. "It was a spirited effort from both sides. Congratulations LCC. With a little luck we'll get to see them again in the Varsity Red final."

The game itself enjoyed a large crowd, and the SoCal Rugby Referee Society gave the game the respect it deserved, with society assistant referees, and the well-regarded Tim Lew holding the whistle. Michael Perrone, the Torrey Pines loosehead prop, and loose forwards Caleb Wilson and Jackson Baere were tireless in their work around the field. Richards-Smith dominated lineouts all night for Torrey Pines. LCC had a strong team effort, but in the end it was Nico Gilli who was unanimously celebrated by both coaching staffs as the standout player of the game. His distribution, decision-making, and kicking were all excellent, and when LCC was chasing the score late in the game it was Gilli who led from the front.

The Varsity Red semis are now set, as Mira Costa beat St. John Bosco 39-10 this weekend to clinch the LA conference. Mira Costa will face Torrey Pines Feb 18, while La Costa Canyon will take on St. John Bosco. The final and 3rd/4th game are slated for Feb. 25.

Highlights of this game from local TV station KUSI are here.