A second loss for the Scots in their hopeful and record-breaking season.
On Nov. 3, Carlmont lost to Sequoia High School 13-7 in a nail-biter game that went into overtime for the battle of the Terremere Trophy.
Prior to the rival game, Sequoia had an overall record of 3-5 and only recently began winning games. Even though the statistics predicted Carlmont to be the victor, there was no definite leader throughout the game.
“We hit a rough patch in the beginning. We played really tough teams such as Burlingame and Orange, which just starts a snowball that attacks your confidence. We struggled for a couple of games, but at the Woodside game, everything came together. Even though we were struggling at this game at some points, we came in loose. A lot of times with a game that means so much to everybody, the kids came in tight. They came ready to play, not waiting for something to go wrong,” said Sequoia head coach Robert Poulos.
It was clear both teams struggled to receive the quarterbacks’ throws and get past the defensive line, as well as a lack of successful interceptions on the defensive side. The sole interceptions for Carlmont were made by Anthony Arteaga and Shawn Azzopardi, both seniors.
Five minutes into the game, however, Carlmont seemed to have a better hold when Demarii Blanks, a senior, scored a 37-yard touchdown while resisting tackles from multiple defensive players.
Carlmont led the game 7-0 all the way into the third quarter. However, the Scots lost the opportunity to lead the game by potentially 14 points instead of seven.
“Early in the second quarter Blanks actually scored a touchdown, but it was called back due to a holding penalty against Carlmont. If we were able to go up 14-0 at that point, then I think Sequoia would have started to quit,” said Henry Reich, a senior.
Sequoia player Duncan Stewart, a senior, scored a touchdown in the third quarter to bring the scoreboard to a tie of 7-7.
In the final play of the fourth quarter and two seconds left on the clock, Carlmont had once more chance to end the game with a win. Despite his arm injury that occurred on a previous play, Reich attempted to score a 30-yard field goal, but it hit the crossbar. Had the ball been kicked a couple inches higher, the Scots would have won the game.
In overtime, Reich was replaced by Simon Tara, a junior, due to an injury. The Scots went first on offense and failed to score any points. Sequoia grabbed the win after the second down with a touchdown.
“I’m very proud of the way the boys played, and unfortunately some things were out of our control. Under these circumstances, I thought we gave ourselves a chance to win and unfortunately, it didn’t work out,” said Head Coach Jake Messina.
Neither Reich or Tara will be playing as a quarterback in the next game, but instead freshman Siupeli Netane.
“He’s a hard-working kid and definitely the biggest quarterback we’ve had in our backfield. A look at the offense from a different set of eyes could impact our passing game positively,” said Darian Dennler, a junior.
Carlmont still has an opportunity to be in the Central Coast Section playoffs, but Independence High School must lose their upcoming game versus Del Mar High School, including some other scenarios, but the final verdict will not be definite until Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Scots will complete their season with a memorial game for Jim Liggett on Nov. 9 versus Mills High School.
