Most 3-7 teams don’t usually find themselves with a home playoff game, much less a first-round bye. Yet, that is precisely the position the Mission Bay Buccaneers found themselves in on Friday night when they hosted the No. 5 seed Westview Wolverines in the CIF San Diego Section Division 4 quarterfinals.
Despite the home-field advantage, and the higher seed, the Bucs were upended by the Westview wishbone offense, as the Wolverines rumbled their way to the semifinals with an 18-14 victory.
“We’ve had some good wins, but this was like a next step to get a road playoff win,” said Westview coach Mitchell Donnelly. “It’s been a hard year, and the end of the season was really tough. But what I told them is four more, it’s a whole new season. You can feel the momentum growing, and they’re starting to believe in themselves.”
It was fairly evident early on what the Westview game plan was going to be: control time of possession and run the ball.
In four first-half possessions the Wolverines passed the ball just seven times. Quarterback Mason Walsh and lead tailback Langdon Mullica led the way on offense, combining for over 120 yards rushing in the first half.
Walsh scored two first-half touchdowns, one via a three-yard brotherly shove and the other on a two-yard scramble drill, giving the Wolverines a 12-7 lead at the halftime.
“I think the biggest thing those scores did, especially the first one, was give us confidence. We came out and set the tone immediately, and I think caught them off balance,” noted Donnelly. “As for Mason, he is our leader, and when he is out there making those plays, he gives everyone else confidence, and that does so much for an offense and for a team.”
Mission Bay scored on its opening drive of the second half, to take a 14-12 lead.
However, Walsh would answer with his third score of the night, this time through the air, as he connected with Finn Nellies for a 13-yard touchdown to give the Wolverines an 18-14 advantage they wouldnt surrender.
The Wolverines defense would slam the door on Mission Bay, holding them scoreless the last 17 minutes of play.
Westviews defensive line, led by star end Mateo Bresenden, tallied five sacks in the win. Bresenden finished with 2½ sacks.
“Mateo is a special player, and when you have a player of his caliber, it makes my job easier. He’s been able to get us pressure when we are rushing just three,” said Donnelly. “When we are able to get pressure, it allows us to be a little bit more dynamic. I am just proud of the kids. They met the call.
With the win over Mission Bay, Westview will host Montgomery High in a CIF San Diego Section Division 4 semifinal on Friday, Nov. 22nd at 7 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARYWestview 18, Mission Bay 14
Westview 6 6 6 0 — 18Mission Bay 0 7 7 0 — 14
W–M. Walsh 3 run (Kick Failed)W–M. Walsh 2 run (Kick Failed)M–S. Brushie 7 pass from T. Arnold (K.Barrios Kick)M–S. Brushie 7 run (K.Barrios Kick)W–F. Nellies 13 pass from M. Walsh (Kick Failed)