Sloppy Rebels settle for draw against Sharks
LOS ANGELES — Though the Flintridge Prep football team did not lose Friday night, one can’t blame first-year Coach Antonio Harrison if he thought otherwise.
On the doorstep of winning its first game, Flintridge Prep encountered three costly fumbles in the red zone — including a pair by quarterback Kyle McDonald at the one-foot mark — in a 14-14 nonleague tie against visiting Malibu at Occidental College’s Patterson Field.
The Rebels (0-3-1) did everything right but cross the goal line, leaving Harrison, a former Rebel player, frustrated.
“We are beating ourselves and until we stay disciplined, it’s going to keep happening,” Harrison said. “We had some great drives, but we couldn’t finish.
“We did everything right up to the finish. We had four or five chances to win.”
McDonald, who fumbled inside the one-yard line midway through the first quarter, had a splendid opportunity to redeem himself with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Instead, McDonald fumbled on fourth down and with 1:50 left.
Harrison said he thought about attempting a field goal, but wasn’t confident with his team’s kicking game.
“We considered it, but we haven’t made one all year,” Harrison said.
Then, the Rebels were given another quality chance to win when Malibu quarterback Chris Konkol had his pass intercepted by Flintridge Prep defensive back Chris Wirthlin on the ensuing play at the 21-yard line. After the interception, the Rebels were called for holding, bringing the ball back to the 28-yard line. Wirthlin then fumbled at the Malibu 20-yard line with 14 seconds remaining.
The Rebels took a 6-0 lead when McDonald tossed a five-yard pass to wide receiver Jared Norsworthy with 5:43 left in the second quarter.
The Sharks (1-3-1) got a 10-yard touchdown run from Brennan Cassone to make it 7-6 with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter. McDonald then scored on a two-yard run and also scored on the two-point conversion to give the Rebels a 14-7 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter. Malibu’s Devon Baldinger knotted the score at 14 on a one-yard run with 7:23 left.
McDonald completed seven of 10 passes for 55 yards and one interception. Wirthlin rushed for 91 yards in 19 carries.
Flintridge Prep will have a bye next week before beginning Prep League play against visiting Chadwick on Oct. 15 at Occidental.
