PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Hamm’s Five Scores Help Pacifica Clinch Playoff Berth

Senior running back Chase Hamm rushed for a school-record five touchdowns and 96 yards in the first half Friday night, leading Pacifica past Bolsa Grande, 48-0, to clinch a playoff berth.

Hamm scored on runs of one, five, 10, one and three yards as the Mariners (6-1-1, 4-0-1) moved closer to their first Garden Grove League title in six years.

Pacifica can win its first league championship since 1989 with a victory over winless La Quinta in the regular season finale Nov. 9.

The Mariners took advantage of tremendous field position in the first half, scoring on six of seven possessions to build a 41-0 lead. They started every drive in Bolsa Grande territory. Besides Hamm’s five touchdowns, fullback Paul Toepel added a four-yard touchdown run.

“It feels really good [to be in the playoffs], but I haven’t really thought about it,” said Hamm, who was one touchdown shy of tying a county record for rushing touchdowns in a contest. “They played tough the first series, but we just pulled away.”

Hamm returned the second-half kickoff 84 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown pass from J.D. Stern to Jason Basham. Stern, who was nine-of-12 passing for 125 yards and the majority of Pacifica starters did not play on offense or defense after that.

“We kind of felt after [beating] Los Amigos and [tying] Rancho Alamitos, the toughest games were behind us,” said Pacifica Coach Bill Craven.

Bolsa Grande (0-8, 0-4) gained only seven yards in the first half and 35 for the game. The Matadors’ offense never got past the Pacifica 42.

Bolsa Grande has lost 10 consecutive games dating back to last year, the second-longest losing streak in the county.

But there is some good news on the horizon--next on the schedule is La Quinta (0-8, 0-4), loser of 15 consecutive games.