Rancho Buena Vista Extends Playoff Streak

It’s a difficult thing, bucking history. Point Loma discovered that.

Rancho Buena Vista continued to remain unbeaten in section playoff games, winning its ninth consecutive with a 27-12 victory Saturday night over Point Loma in front of 4,200 at Vista High School. RBV will play Palomar League rival Orange Glen in the semifinals Saturday at a site to be determined.

Each of the Longhorns’ menagerie of backs shone at one time or another. But it was the defense which ultimately provided the difference in the game.

“Defense is where I thought we played exceptionally well,” RBV Coach Craig Bell said. “The key to our defense is controlling the run and to get them throwing late in the game.”

The Longhorns (10-2) limited Point Loma to 213 total yards and intercepted two fourth-quarter passes--one by Mark Pallotto and the other by Eric Borgeson.

Pallotto’s interception with 5:48 left in the game came with RBV clinging to a 13-6 lead. But on the first play after the interception, Markeith Ross dashed 64 yards and David Leese’s PAT made it 20-6.

Point Loma (9-2) came back, driving 77 yards in the following two minutes and scoring on a 16-yard pass from Toby Gault to Shaunta Baker with 3:43 remaining. The two-point conversion failed when Gary Griffie applied pressure to Gault, and Fune Moi deflected the pass.

RBV recovered the ensuing onside kick at the Point Loma 46. Six plays later, Ross scored from the eight with 1:32 left.

Borgeson then picked off Gault’s first pass of the ensuing drive and the Longhorns ran out the clock. RBV’s offense dominated the game with 385 yards on the ground.