Irvine Comes Up Big Against Top-Seeded Mayfair

All Irvine Coach Terry Henigan wanted to do against Lakewood Mayfair’s explosive offense was to test it in the fourth quarter.

Make the Monsoons make plays, make tackles, make them flinch.

Irvine did its part. Mayfair couldn’t.

When the game was on the line, it was Irvine that played like a defending champion as it defeated the top-seeded Monsoons, 9-7, in front of about 7,000 Friday at Bellflower High.

It was a remarkable team effort in the Southern Section Division VI quarterfinal game, but there were clearly some individual heroes for the Vaqueros (9-2-1), who are trying to win their first section title since winning three in a row, from 1991-93. Mayfair finished 11-1.

Irvine’s David Neustaedter blocked Eddie Ortega’s 41-yard field goal attempt as time expired, securing the victory for the Vaqueros, who play Loara next Friday in the semifinals.

Neustaedter’s heroics came after Jessob Reisbeck put Irvine ahead with a 37-yard field goal with 3:50 remaining.

Reisbeck had quite the night. He had missed an extra point in the first quarter after Keith Short’s one-yard scoring run, and missed a 31-yard field goal in the third. And just seconds before nailing the game-winner, Reisbeck missed a 52-yard attempt.

One catch: Mayfair had 12 men on the field.

“Tears came to my eyes,” Reisbeck said. “I thought my football career was over. Then I heard the commotion about the penalty and got another chance.

“I hit the second one solid. Distance wasn’t a problem, it was just my confidence.”

The defense also had its share of heroes, making a goal-line stand at the end of the first half on fourth and one, stopping Monsoon Michael Williams in his tracks.

Williams, one of the most sought-after recruits in the Southern Section, went into the game with 1,912 yards and 45 touchdowns.

He rushed 25 times for 69 yards.

Reisbeck, called for two pass interference penalties, and Jeff Patty were committed to playing the Monsoons’ receivers man-to-man so their teammates could commit to the run.

The only defensive letdown Irvine’s Mike Patterson, Keith Short (one interception) & Co. had took place early in the fourth quarter, when Terrence Young, on his second carry, broke free for a 65-yard score.

The offensive line was also spectacular. Mayfair’s blitzing defense had averaged eight sacks per game, but quarterback Mike Ricci was sacked only once.

Ricci completed six passes (for 76 yards) to James Whitted, including four on the drive that led to the winning field goal.