Kobe Paces Saugus Against Peninsula

Saugus High quarterback Chris Kobe accounted for 332 yards, passing for two touchdowns and running for another, and the Centurions upset top-seeded and previously unbeaten Peninsula, 21-13, Friday at South Torrance High in a first-round game of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Peninsula (10-1) is ranked No. 10 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports.

Kobe completed 21 of 35 passes for 288 yards, including touchdown throws of 24 and 20 yards to Gregg Johnson. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 170 yards in the second half. Kobe’s nine-yard touchdown run 2 minutes 43 seconds into the third quarter gave Saugus the lead for good, 14-7. Ben Sitko’s fumble recovery at the Peninsula 38 set up Kobe’s score.

On the game’s final play, Kobe intercepted Peninsula quarterback Garrett Smith’s pass at the Centurion 40 to seal the victory.

Johnson led all receivers with eight catches for 117 yards.

Saugus (6-5), the lowest-seeded team in the 16-team bracket, limited Peninsula’s running game to 160 yards in 42 attempts.