Faith Baptist Topples Templeton in Battle for 8-Man No. 1 Ranking

After going to great lengths in an attempt to secure the No. 1 ranking in the Southern Section Eight-Man Division, Faith Baptist High undoubtedly achieved its goal Saturday at home, defeating top-ranked Templeton, 28-12.

Faith Baptist (4-0), ranked second in the Southern Section eight-man poll since the start of the season, had traveled to Hesperia, Cambria and Fresno for its first three games.

Templeton (3-1) entered the nonleague game against Faith Baptist having outscored its opponents, 100-0.

“I can’t tell you the feeling it is to win,” said Faith Baptist senior quarterback Darren Wyre, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. “It didn’t matter if they were ranked No. 1 or No. 16, it is a great rivalry.

“We waited all year to play them. To beat them in my last year . . . gave me more incentive.”

Faith Baptist halfback Alex Estrada, who rushed for 42 yards and caught three passes for 66 yards, agreed.

“I don’t think that bothered us that they were No. 1,” he said. “They are a pretty good squad and we wanted to beat them just because they are Templeton.”

Leading, 16-12, late in the fourth quarter, Faith Baptist put the game out of reach with two touchdowns within a 14-second span. Fullback James DeCarriere scored his second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run with two minutes left to give Faith Baptist a 22-12 lead.

On Templeton’s ensuing series, linebacker Chad Watkins intercepted a pass by quarterback Greg Yeager and returned it 24 yards to extend the Contenders’ advantage to 28-12 with 1:46 left.

“I think that just about assures us of a playoff berth,” said Faith Baptist Coach Greg Weiss, whose free-lance team requires an invitation to make the playoffs.

Weiss, however, was not quite as confident after Templeton running back Jason Guibbini, who rushed for a game-high 102 yards, scored from three yards to allow the Eagles to close within 16-12 with 11 minutes left.

“I was scared to death,” Weiss said. “I’ve driven up to see them play and seen them come back so many times with seven minutes left and win it.”

Faith Baptist took an 8-0 lead on a one-yard run by DeCarriere and a two-point conversion pass from Wyre to Estrada with eight minutes left in the first half.

Wyre connected on a 13-yard pass to Etienne Moore to give the Contenders a 16-6 lead near the end of the first half.