Flintridge Prep football rolls into eight-man semifinals
LA CAÑADA — Flintridge Prep’s first season competing in eight-man football since 1996 already had the benchmarks of success, with the Rebels posting a winning record and notching their first postseason victory in four seasons.
This was all before they hosted Rolling Hills Prep with the opportunity to keep the season alive and advance another step in the postseason.
Flintridge Prep earned another accolade using a balanced offense on the way to a 43-26 wire-to-wire victory against the Huskies as host of a CIF Southern Section Eight-Man Division I quarterfinal contest Friday night.
“I’m happy for the fellas,” Flintridge Prep Coach Russell White said. “The guys worked hard and did what they were told. I’m happy for them. ...This is about the Flintridge boys doing what they need to do to be where they are.”
With Friday’s result, Flintridge Prep (7-3) advanced to the Division I semifinals, where they will play host to top seed Mojave on Friday night. Mojave beat Chadwick, 86-56, to advance to play the Rebels. The Huskies (6-4) saw their season come to a conclusion.
“I was kind of wanting to go to Mojave, but I was probably the only taker for that trip. It is going to be exciting [playing at home],” White said.
The Rebels had the rushing attack in high gear for the first half on the way to three touchdowns on the ground. The second half saw the passing game pay dividends with three touchdowns through the air.
“Overall [in the second half], John [Lytle] began to click a little more with his receivers,” receiver Nick Davis said.
All three second-half aerial touchdowns went from the arm of Lytle to the hands of Davis, covering 15, 15 and seven yards respectively. Davis finished with eight catches for 101 yards and the three scores.
“It was a great win,” Davis said. “The team came together. We have been putting in work all week. I can’t take any credit for it. Great team victory.”
Running back Kendall Kikkawa helped Flintridge Prep strike early, scoring on a 53-yard run. On the third snap of the game, Kikkawa took the ball around the right side before cutting back across the field and into the end zone to give the hosts an early lead just one minute in.
Kikkawa scored again on the ground at the 8:27 mark of the first with a five-yard run. The drive was set up by an interception by Rebel Bruce Dennis. Kikkawa finished with 118 yards on 20 carries with the two scores.
The Rebel defense held the Huskies scoreless in the opening quarter and carried a 13-0 advantage into the second. Rolling Hills got things going with a 24-yard scramble by quarterback Ethan Gretzinger after he dodged a sure sack. Given a short field by one of many Rebels personal fouls, Gretzinger scored again with 5:05 left before half on a run from one yard out.
“Defense has always been a cornerstone for us. When we need a spark they usually bring it,” White said. “They started very well today.”
Rebel Warren Hosseinion rumbled for a 25-yard rush and then a five-yard touchdown run in the half’s final moments and Flintridge led, 19-12, at the break. In the first half, Hosseinion also had two sacks and a blocked point-after kick. The senior used his physical style of running to gain 93 yards on 10 carries.
“This is so crazy,” Hosseinion said. “We’ve worked really hard for this and overcome a lot of adversity.”
Gretzinger finished with 101 yards on 20 carries. James Lewis led Rolling Hills with 19 carries for 110 yards.
Both squads had come into the quarterfinal with identical records, each recording their sixth win with a first-round victory. The Rebels, ranked No. 6 in the final division poll, downed Riverside County Educational Academy on the road while Rolling Hills upset fourth-seeded Cate on the road. On Friday, however, there would not be another upset.