SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : USDHS Kicker Gets Even, 25-23

University of San Diego High School kicker Duke Gonzales succeeded when he had an opportunity to redeem himself. University City running back Darrin Wagner did not.

In a game that featured outstanding efforts by Wagner and USDHS running back Martin Correia, the game came down to the foot of Gonzales.

After missing an extra point earlier, Gonzales kicked a 41-yard field goal with 1:38 remaining to give No. 10 USDHS (1-0, 6-0) a 25-23 Western League victory over University City (0-1, 3-2) Friday at the University of San Diego.

“I was hoping it would come down to a field goal before the game,” Gonzales said. “But I really wanted it after I missed the extra point.”

In spite of all he did in the second half, Wagner could not quite atone for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the first quarter. He scored on second-half runs of 72 and 52 yards.

The Dons took 7:51 and 21 plays to drive 77 yards for a touchdown on the game’s first series. UC’s Wagner apparently accomplished in 18 seconds what it took USDHS nearly eight minutes to do, when he returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. This one was nullified because Wagner was penalized for waving his arm going into the end zone.

UC had to settle for a field goal.

USDHS scored on its next series with Correia, who had 168 yards and 2 touchdowns in 25 carries, scored from 15 yards out. Gonzales missed the extra point, but USDHS led 13-3. UC gave USDHS two points when the center snapped the ball over the punter’s head and through the end zone late in the second quarter.

UC opened the second half much the same way as it ended the first. Quarterback Brian Sexton was hit from behind on a pass play and the ball popped into the air. Defensive lineman Mike Hastings grabbed it and ran 31 yards to the University City 17. Five plays later, Correia scored from the one to give USDHS a 22-3 lead.

But Wagner, who finished the game with 181 yards and 2 touchdowns in 12 carries, began his attempt at redemption. On University City’s next posession, Wagner ran 72 yards down the right side line for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and University City trailed, 22-9.

The next time Wagner touched the ball, he raced 52 yards up the middle for another touchdown with 1:36 left in the third quarter. The extra point cut USDHS’s lead to 22-16.

Paul MacRenato fumbled early in the fourth quarter and University City lineman Charles Smedley recovered to give the Centurions the ball at the USDHS 32. With 5:15 remaining, Sexton scored on a keeper from the 1 and University City took its only lead of the game, 23-22.

But University City came back, driving 80 yards in 13 plays to set up Gonzales’ kick.