With a shot at the playoffs in the balance, Laguna Blanca found itself tied at 14-14 against visiting Thacher in 8-man football action on Saturday.
“We were right there,” said coach Ray Robitaille.
But the Owls stayed right there as the Toads hopped away in the second half to hand the hosts a 52-20 season-ending defeat.
“In my heart I just feel that we didn’t live up to our potential,” said Robitaille, who also cited the loss of Mark Romanov due to a concussion as a big setbak for the team.
The Owls (3-4, 2-2 Condor League) graduate seven seniors this year, but will return the season’s top offensive threat in Luther Tarver-Burks, who spent the entire season juking his way through defenses and into the end zone.
He had a 65-yard run after a catch of a pass by Connor Murphy in the first half for one of his two touchdowns on the day. Hunter Rusack stepped in at fullback and bulldozed his way to the Owls’ other score. Robitaille is also excited that a strong contingent of sophomores and juniors will be back next season.
The Owls have sent a request for an at-large playoff berth into the CIF offices, but Robitaille doubts it will be granted.
(Photo by Frederick Allen)
