Palos Verdes Reaches CIF Division VIII Final, 21-7

Before Saturday night, the greatest athletic achievement of Brian Durbin’s life came last winter when his goal gave Palos Verdes High a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Simi Valley in the CIF 4-A Division soccer final.

Apparently it only wheted his appetite for playoff glory.

On Saturday, Durbin and the Palos Verdes football team ran roughshod over top-seeded Cabrillo of Lompoc, 21-7, at North Torrance High to qualify for the CIF Division VIII title game.

Durbin, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior halfback, rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns in 14 carries as the Sea Kings dominated the semifinal game with a punishing ground attack.

Palos Verdes (8-5) will make its second-ever appearance in a CIF football final Saturday when it meets Temecula Valley (10-3) at a site to be determined. The Sea Kings won the 2-A Division title in 1965.

“This is great,” Durbin said. “I think what makes it so sweet is that no one thought we’d be here.”

No argument there. Palos Verdes was on the brink of having its season ended three weeks ago in its final Ocean League game against Rolling Hills. Needing a win to earn a playoff berth and trailing 14-0 after the first quarter, the Sea Kings rallied for a 45-20 victory.

Saturday’s victory was the team’s fourth in a row after a four-game losing streak.

“I think the big difference is we started to believe in ourselves,” said Durbin, who scored on runs of 14, 11 and 38 yards. “We came out here tonight and said, ‘We’re not going to lose.’ ”

Palos Verdes, which did not attempt a pass in the second half, took a 21-7 lead with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter on Durbin’s 38-yard touchdown sweep around right tackle.

Cabrillo’s comeback efforts were hindered when quarterback Robert Cardenas was sidelined with a knee injury with 10:39 left to play. Cabrillo finished 10-3.

The Palos Verdes defense shut out Cabrillo in the second half, coming up with several big plays. Linebacker David Bohner intercepted a Cardenas pass to stop a drive early in the third quarter, and linebacker Guy Pisani recovered a fumble with 9:12 left to play at the Palos Verdes 28 to turn back Cabrillo for the last time.

The Sea Kings ran the clock out, finishing the game on Cabrillo’s one-yard line following a short run by quarterback Tim King.

George Felactu supported Durbin with 82 yards in 19 carries and King rushed for 73 yards in 15 carries. King completed five of six passes for 73 yards, all in the first half.

Don Lindsey, Cabrillo’s top back, was held to 65 yards in 19 carries.