Fargas Puts Notre Dame Near Title, 28-19

Statistics alone are never the measurement for greatness in evaluating Notre Dame High tailback Justin Fargas.

The true indicator of what separates Fargas from most teenagers--pure determination--was seen here repeatedly on a cloudless, perfect Saturday night for football.

Taking hit after hit, Fargas rammed his way for 159 yards rushing in a season-high 29 carries, finally scoring the clinching touchdown with 1:21 left on a one-yard plunge to lift the Knights to a 28-19 victory over Righetti in a Southern Section Division III semifinal.

Notre Dame (11-2) will meet Arroyo Grande on Friday night for the Division III title at a site to be determined.

Fargas was held to 39 yards in 10 carries in the first half when Notre Dame led, 14-6. But with the game--and the season--on the line, Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney decided to let Fargas carry the Knights on his back.

After Righetti (7-6) pulled to within 14-12 at the outset of the third quarter, Notre Dame went on a 79-yard, 14-play drive that consumed more than six minutes. Fargas carried nine times for 64 yards, setting up quarterback David DeMartinis’ five-yard touchdown run.

It was on this drive that Fargas pulled off a 29-yard run in which he broke three tackles and refused to go down until he reached the first-down marker. It was a third-and-24 situation from the Notre Dame 43.

“Did you like that call?” Rooney joked to his 9-year-old daughter, Kara, afterward.

“That was an unbelievable run. Justin has had so many great runs in his career, but that run ranks right up there in terms of sheer determination. He’s got something special inside of him.”

Said lineman Craig Johnson: “Justin amazes me every week.”

When Righetti closed to within 21-19 with seven minutes left on a 40-yard touchdown reception by Scott Smith, again it was Fargas delivering the knockout blow.

Notre Dame moved 70 yards in 11 plays. Fargas had 47 yards in six carries before he did the Fargas flip--diving over the line to score with 1:21 left. He has rushed for 2,738 yards and scored 35 touchdowns this season.

“They were coming after me,” Fargas said. “They fought the whole way. We had to play with heart and leave everything on the field. I was cramping up, but in the semis, you go at all costs. Whatever it takes.”

Notre Dame shut down Righetti option quarterback Ruben Villa, who was dropped seven times for losses.

DeMartinis completed 14 of 24 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Righetti was the team displaying a sense of urgency and daring in the early going. The Warriors picked up a first down on a fake punt in the first quarter and made another first down on a fourth-and-six play.

It wasn’t until after Righetti’s Nick Matautia caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Villa on the second play of the second quarter that Notre Dame’s offense decided to break out of its conservative mode.

DeMartinis connected with Todd Fenton for a 21-yard touchdown pass play and found Rod Arzu for a touchdown covering 26 yards to give the Knights a 14-6 halftime lead.