DiPadova Leads, Taft Falls

Quarterback Nick DiPadova has been Taft High’s leader all season.

But winning the City Section 4-A title was too much for one person to handle.

Despite DiPadova’s second-half efforts, San Pedro defeated Taft, 22-20, on Friday night at the Coliseum to win its first 4-A title after falling two points short last year.

The Toreadors (13-1) were playing in their first large-division final.

DiPadova scored on a two-yard run with 1 minute 15 seconds left to pull Taft to within two points, but the onside kick was recovered by Holman Wiggans of San Pedro.

DiPadova completed 14 of 28 passes for 154 yards. He also carried the rushing load with 15 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Tailbacks Marquis Brignac and Sedric Hurns had 11 carries combined.

“Oh man . . . oh man,” said DiPadova, who was jumping up and down trying to get a grip on his emotions. “It’s over.”

Damon Coleman caught 10 passes for 97 yards for the Toreadors.

After a sluggish first half, Taft came alive early in the third quarter.

The Toreadors drove 80 yards in eight plays and were aided by 25 yards in penalties against San Pedro. DiPadova scored on a five-yard run to make it 9-7.

Taft’s biggest break came less than a minute later. Tyler Brennan stripped the ball from San Pedro tailback Rod Williams, cornerback Jaron Lawson picked it up and went 27 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion failed and Taft led, 13-9.

“We knew they held the ball loose,” Brennan said. “We practiced it all week. He tried to go inside then he popped outside and I was there to meet him.”

San Pedro took a 16-13 lead on Wiggans’ four-yard touchdown run to cap a 68-yard drive aided by a questionable penalty on what was ruled an out-of-bounds hit by Donte Morgan.

Taft couldn’t move the ball and had to punt. San Pedro took advantage.

Three plays after taking possession, Melvin Yarbrough found Tim O’Donnell for a 43-yard touchdown pass play. The ball slipped off the fingertips of Taft defensive back Keith Johnson before O’Donnell made the catch.

“The ball was there,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to make the big play. I just didn’t make it.”

Yarbrough completed six of nine for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

With just over five minutes remaining, Taft faced third-and-11 from the San Pedro 15, but DiPadova was sacked on consecutive plays by Travis White and Tim Hereford.

DiPadova faced heavy pressure throughout the second half and was sacked four times.

The Taft defense played tough on the first series. On the first play, Anthony Banks caught a short pass from Yarbrough and was swarmed under for a four-yard loss. The Pirates were forced to punt without making a first down, but DiPadova and the Toreadors didn’t find the going any easier.

Taft tried three running plays, but after gaining seven yards, Brignac was stopped for a yard loss.

The Pirates got going on their second drive on the running of Williams and Jomar Butler and a 35-yard pass play from Yarbrough to Banks set up a 32-yard field goal by Giuseppe Cracchiolo late in the first quarter.

DiPadova tried throwing on Taft’s second series with limited success. His short passes were usually complete, but held to minimal gains. When he tried to throw deep, Banks, Butler and Steve Smith kept pace with receivers Coleman, Ryan Long and Johnson.

After a second punt, San Pedro drove 80 yards in 11 plays, Yarbrough hitting Smith for a 17-yard touchdown.

It was the first time Taft trailed by more than a touchdown all season.