Facing a deficit not only on the scoreboard but with player injuries as well, Cate’s 8-man football team overcame to defeat Orcutt on Saturday 42-36 in overtime.
Orcutt came into the game with an undefeated 6-0 record and an offense that was averaging over 61 points a game.
The Rams trailed by eight points in the fourth quarter and had lost several players to injury before finding a way to win the Condor League game. Clinton Hall recorded a 60-yard touchdown run in the first half but didn’t play in the second half due to injury. Senior co-captain Peter Kim was knocked out as well as junior Oliver Welch. It brings to eight the number of players at the top of the depth chart now out with injury for the Rams.
Orcutt took a 36-28 lead when the Spartans scored their final touchdown with two minutes remaining in regulation.
Cate quarterback Dean Smith then led a full-field scoring drive, capped by a short Isaiah Washington rushing touchdown and two-point conversion to force overtime.
Orcutt had the first offensive possession in OT but Cate’s defense gave the ball to the offense without allowing any points.
Cate needed just a few plays to get the winning touchdown. Ryder Dinning executed a trick play, completing a pass to Smith, that put the Rams inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Smith punched in the score to clinch the victory.
Cate assistant coach David Soto credited Warren Giles, Masaki Kondo, Aji Bodunrin, Griffin Williams and Pierce Lundt for leading the defensive effort.
“I’m so proud of the fight our guys showed all game. We had plenty of excuses and reasons to hang our head but we kept fighting and scrapping,” Soto said.
It was Cate’s first league win after a loss to Thacher last week in the opener. Cate, which hosts Laguna Blanca next Saturday, improves to 4-2, 1-1.
