December football is always exciting especially for high school football teams that have fought hard to compete for State and CIF Championships. Temecula’s Rancho Christian (15-2) captured a highly coveted Division 6-AA State Championship over this past weekend, led by their potent running game that has worn opponents out all season long in the trenches.
In an exciting, yet cold game, played at Murrieta Mesa High School in Murrieta, the Eagles ran the ball an astounding 55 times to the tune of 301 yards and 3 touchdowns against Sutter Creek’s Amador High School. The Buffalo defense had no answers for the big outside runs by junior Jaden Schieberl or the slicing inside runs by juniors Elijah Campbell and Malosi Napoleon.
Rancho Christian’s junior quarterback Carter Treadway had perhaps his best game of the season as he passed for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 90 percent of his passes in a brilliant performance. Treadway’s efforts came at the best time for the Eagles as they needed a threatening aerial attack to open up their devastating ground game.
“We were able to keep the ball in our possession much longer and our offense maintained long drives that really helped us win this game,” said Treadway.
Treadway completed 10 of 11 passes for 213 yards with his lone incompletion being thrown in the second quarter, but rebounded on an 8-yard touchdown to a favorite target in Jojo Saatzer on the very next play to help give the Eagles a 21-7 lead.
“I have said it all season, the way this team plays the game is a beautiful thing. It’s not about our play calling, it’s about the players following through on the execution of the plays we give them,” exclaimed a very happy Rancho Christian Head Coach, Jim Kunau, after the game. “Coming through in pressure filled situations shows who they are as people and will give them traits not many young adults are privy to as they grow older.”
Rancho Christian’s defense gave up some big plays, but they came through when it mattered most as they shut Amador down on a pivotal third down attempt late in the game and then reeled in an interception to seal their State Title victory. Adding to the sweet taste of victory, Eagles place kicker, Emma Baker, made history by becoming the first female player to score a point in a California state championship game and set a national record for most points by a female kicker with a late 35-yard field goal. The field goal for Baker was her ninth of the year in an effort where she was also a perfect 5 for 5 on her extra-point attempts.
“To be able to use one of my athletic capabilities to help us win means a lot. These guys are all like brothers to me, I’m just truly honored to be a part of this team,” says Baker.
Though Amador’s incredible 15-2 season came to a close, the Buffaloes were extremely competitive throughout the game, never giving up. Senior running back, Daylan Thetford, showed off his amazing speed by rushing for two touchdowns on 17 carries, even helping them get within eight points at halftime.
Thetford was really the only source of offense for Amador as their passing attack was abysmal and once Rancho caught onto the running schemes, the Buffalo offense went completely stagnant in the second half. Amador’s defense was opportunistic early on as they forced and recovered a fumble, but following that they were steamrolled by the Rancho O-line and running backs.
Both teams fought hard all season long but in the end there could only be one winner and with that win Kunau became one of the only local coaches to ever lead at least different two teams to CIF-State championships. In 2006 Kunau led Orange Lutheran to the Division 2 title, but in his usual form when answering questions after the game he neglected to take any credit and only praised his team. Article contributions made by Valley News Sports Editor JP Raineri.
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