A Four-Bagger for the Spirits

It was supposed to be a matchup of two of the top offenses in the region.

Little did anyone suspect it would develop into a defensive struggle.

In fact, it might have come down to one play in Paraclete High’s 14-12 victory Saturday night over previously undefeated Montclair Prep in the Southern Section Division XII championship game at Valley College.

Linebacker Mike Moore became an unlikely hero when he stopped Gary Sonkur short of the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt with 2:27 to play, preserving the Spirits’ lead.

Moments earlier, Sonkur, who rushed for 124 yards in 20 carries, scored on a 31-yard run. Moore said that gave him an idea of what to expect next.

“We knew what the play was going to be,” Moore said. “I just threw everything I had left in me to make the stop.”

It turned out to be the last chance for the top-seeded Mounties (13-1), who didn’t get the ball back again.

Paraclete’s defense held Montclair Prep to 208 yards. It was an impressive accomplishment, considering the Mounties were averaging more than 46 points a game.

Not that Coach Jeff Cortez of Paraclete (13-1) expected otherwise.

“Nobody believes me, but the defense has held us together all year,” Cortez said.

Montclair Prep, which outscored its first three playoff opponents,164-6, scored on its first and last possession.

In between, it was a frustrating night for the Mounties.

“It was a hard-nosed football game and we tried to match them blow for blow,” said Mountie quarterback Jason Goss. “We played our hearts out and left everything on the field.”

It wasn’t the best night for Paraclete’s offense, either. The Spirits, who became the second team to win four consecutive sections titles (tying Temple City of 1970-73) and won their second consecutive Division XII title, finished with only 137 yards rushing.

A far cry from their previous two playoff games, in whichtheir top three running backs rushed for more than 100 yards.

Michael Washington had 51 yards in 11 carries to become the third Paraclete rusher with 1,000 yards this season.

The Spirits’ respect for Montclair Prep’s defense, which had allowed an average of 63.8 yards rushing, led to a change in their game plan.

Cortez called for a screen pass to running back Curtis Brown, who turned it into a 46-yard touchdown play on the game’s second play from scrimmage.

Paraclete’s also scored on a 20-yard pass from Craig Herrera to Patrick Courtney with 51 seconds to play in the half. The Spirits added a two-point conversion on a pass from Herrera to Washington.