Photos by Susan Coulter & Tim Lunney, stats/game info from Harry Joe & video highlights courtesy of David Guerrero
Football:
The historic and magical ride finally came to an end on Saturday night.
Mission Oak of Tulare defeated Rio Hondo Prep, 29-14, in the CIF State Division 4A So Cal Regional final.
The Hawks (10-5) had a 17-14 lead at the break, and they outscored the Kares, 12-0, in the second half.
For just the second time in 15 games, RHP never led, but they did tie the score at 14-14 late in the second quarter.
Alex Mustain and Nate Curtis hooked up on a 63-yard TD.
And Mustain found Tyler Dang for the 2-point conversion with 3:11 remaining in the half.
Mission Oak, however, would get short TD runs in the fourth quarter from Isaiah Rivera (three yards) and Kenny Jackson (nine) to pull away from the Kares.
In showing their true colors, and that never-give-up mentality, RHP blocked both MOHS extra-point attempts in the second half.
Mission Oak did something no Rio Hondo Prep opponent had accomplished all season.
They held the Kares ground game out of the end zone.
RHP got on the board in the second quarter, as Mustain hit Curtis for the first of two scores.
The Kares senior tossed a 72-yard TD pass to Curtis, which pulled RHP to within 7-6 of the Hawks.
Mustain had his best night in leading the Rio Hondo Prep offense.
He completed 7-of-15 passes for 213 yards, the two scores, and Mustain didn’t turn the ball over.
Noah Penunuri rushed for 116 of RHP’s 186 yards on the ground, and he did so on 21 carries.
The next closest was Mustain’s 30 yards on six carries.
Curtis caught three passes for 162 yards, and Joshua Taflinger reeled in one pass for 28 yards.
Holcomb had six tackles and a sack.
Penunuri finished his sophomore season with six tackles, while Curtis and Dang totaled five tackles apiece.
The Rio Hondo Prep program had arguably one of its best season’s ever, tying for most wins (13) in program history, and making just its second appearance in a CIF State playoff game.
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Box Score:
RHP: 0-14-0-0-(14)
MO: 7-10-0-12-(29)
Scoring:
MO: Kenny Jackson 96 kickoff return (Zuriel Cruz kick)
RHP: Nate Curtis 72 pass from Alex Mustain (run failed)
MO: Ethan Rodriguez 3 pass from Daniel Gonzalez (Zuriel Cruz kick)
RHP: Nate Curtis 63 pass from Alex Mustain (Alex Mustain to Tyler Dang pass)
MO: Isaiah Rivera 3 run (kick blocked)
MO: Kenny Jackson 9 run (kick blocked)
Records: Rio Hondo Prep (13-2); Mission Oak (10-5)
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