'Mr. Clutch' comes through for Falcons

By: SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | Friday, November 11, 2005 12:35 AM PST ∞

LA COSTA ---- Hunter Wanket has a new nickname. Torrey Pines High football coach Ed Burke came up with it after his quarterback led the Falcons to a 7-6 road victory over arch-rival La Costa Canyon on Thursday night.

"He's Mr. Clutch," Burke said. "I think that's a pretty good nickname for Hunter after what he did tonight."

Wanket led the Falcons on a seven-play, 73-yard touchdown drive with just over three minutes remaining in the game and the Falcons down six points. Wanket was 5-for-5 for 58 yards on that final drive, which ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Michael Lambesis in the corner of the end zone.

The game-deciding drive made Torrey Pines (9-1, 5-0) the undisputed champion of the Palomar League. It also ended a game's worth of frustration after the Falcons had been close to the end zone on numerous occasions and come away with nothing.

"There was definitely some frustration after coming so close without anything to show for it," Wanket said. "But I had faith in my receivers and my offensive line. I knew that if we had one more chance, we could get it done."

Wanket showed faith in the 6-foot-5 Lambesis, who caught eight passes for 110 yards. His final catch was the most important. Wanket threw a fade pass to Lambesis, who outjumped two defenders and brought the ball down for the touchdown.

La Costa Canyon had 1 minute, 48 seconds to make something happen, but John MacMillan intercepted a pass from Cole Ducey to end the Mavericks' comeback hopes.

La Costa Canyon (7-3, 3-2) held Torrey Pines to just 60 rushing yards, leaving the burden on Wanket.

He was up to the challenge, completing 20 of 26 passes for 263 yards and the game-winning touchdown. He also rushed 12 times for 27 yards.

"Hunter was outstanding," Burke said. "He was excellent on every (play), and not just with his throws. He came up with some key runs as well that kept some drives alive."

The Falcons' defense also had an excellent game. The group kept La Costa Canyon out of the end zone, giving up just two field goals to Briton Forester, who converted from 23 and 44 yards out.

Until the final Torrey Pines drive, the Mavericks' defense held strong against the Falcons.

"Our defense played great," La Costa Canyon coach Darrin Brown said. "They came through for us in key situations all night. We didn't come out with the win, but I couldn't be more proud of my kids. We lost this game, but we'll see what happens in the postseason."