Hook-and-ladder play lifts Torrey over La Costa Canyon

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Saturday, November 26, 2005 12:06 AM PST

CARMEL VALLEY ---- Torrey Pines High football coach Ed Burke called for one play on Friday night and his team heard another. Both calls were similar ---- they included the hook-and-ladder ---- but involved entirely different receiving routes.

It didn't matter.

Hunter Wanket still connected on a 6-yard pass to Michael Lambesis, who despite having a defender all over his back, made a picture-perfect pitch to a streaking Connor Bird, who caught the ball in stride and raced 38 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:55 left in the fourth quarter.

From there, the No. 1-seeded Falcons used their defense to stop La Costa Canyon and held on for a 16-12 victory in the quarterfinals of the CIF Division I playoffs at Falcons Stadium.

"I can't take any credit," Burke said. "We had a mistake in the huddle. The call was a mistake but the execution was correct. That's the luck of being Irish."

The win advances Torrey Pines (10-1) to a semifinal matchup with Vista, which knocked off host Rancho Bernardo 20-0. It also meant that for the second season in a row, La Costa Canyon (8-4) was knocked out of the playoffs by its biggest rival.

After the tough loss, La Costa Canyon coach Darrin Brown showered his players with praise for being able to stay in the game until the end despite having seven penalties called to the Falcons' one.

"I thought the refereeing was terrible," Brown said. "It was totally one-sided and our kids did an outstanding job to overcome a lot. They lost to a good football team but (the refs) will be embarrassed when the tape is reviewed."

Buoyed by a strong defensive effort, the Mavericks took a 12-9 lead with 6:14 to go in the game when Briton Forester made a 32-yard field goal.

But Bird had a 2-yard run followed by runs of 24 and 4 for Wanket to set up the trickery.

"I don't think they saw it coming," Bird said. "It caught them off guard."

La Costa Canyon's defense caught Torrey Pines by surprise on the game's very first possession. Michael Bethea intercepted a pass and returned it to the Falcons' 28.

Eight plays later, the Mavericks took a 7-0 lead as Cole Ducey scored on a quarterback sneak including fourth-and-goal from the 1.

The Falcons then answered with lengthy, consecutive possessions, but only came away with a pair of field goals by Bill Bennett to make it 7-6 at the half.

La Costa Canyon's defense struck once more as junior Nick Witzmann sacked Wanket for a safety and a 9-6 lead.

But Bennett answered again with a 34-yard field goal to tie the score with 11:08 left in the fourth quarter.

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at (760) 739-6643 or dhayes@nctimes.com.

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Dawg wrote on Nov 26, 2005 7:26 AM:The reason for the loss stated by the LCC coaches reflects the attitude taken by LCC for most everything that doesn't go their way. This gives me a picture of the LCC whinning attitude and a clearer view where it comes. Coaches "Think role model before you open your mouth".

Philip wrote on Nov 26, 2005 11:09 AM:When you combine a great bunch of kids with great coaching you get great games!

JoeD wrote on Nov 26, 2005 1:43 PM:Brown showed a total lack of class by whining about the refs. The only one who should be embarassed is Brown, for getting burned on a hook and ladder that Torrey used against them only 3 years ago.

Micheal wrote on Nov 27, 2005 7:36 PM:for once and for all you see that not only do the players from LCC have no class but the coach doesn't have any either and that they can't accept the fact that they can never be as good as torrey is

Bill in Oceanside wrote on Nov 28, 2005 8:35 AM:Darrin Brown has a short memory...Just a couple of weeks ago, Torrey was "job-ed" by the "officiating". If you were at the regular season match-up between these two schools, you know what I'm talking about. At the end of the half Torrey was at the one foot line and should have ahd plenty of time to run another play...The officials claimed that time had expired...when it took 6 seconds for OB Hunter Wanket to take a snap and down the ball...6 seconds...Ahhhh...I don't think so...The officiating crew was stumbling around, not wanting to make a call and when they did, it was the incorrect call. Also, Torrey had a touchdown pass taken off the board in the second half on a phantom call...The point is despite the questionable officiating, Torrey Pines "BEAT" L.C.C. To the L.C.C. players...You are a solid ball club and play hard...Just ask Escondido...You are to be commended on a fine season...To coach Brown...Just issue a statement of appology and be glad that you are able to coach at this level, even with your limited abilities as a coach. Also, you might be able to get away with half-cocked statements like the one in the paper...If you just won 1 section title...Just 1...Coach

Frank from Carlsbad wrote on Nov 28, 2005 12:36 PM:Once again Coach Brown opened his mouth and inserted his foot...he's become an expert at being CLASSLESS! Parents...move your kids to play for 2 class acts nearby Ed Burke or Bob McAllister.

Somebody wrote on Nov 30, 2005 9:54 PM:The best part was, that the day after the game, an LCC athlete called a TP athlete and threatened him. =]

TP FB4L wrote on Dec 5, 2005 4:31 PM:It has been proven many times if you move your kids from LCC u will come home with a CIF ring. There have been 3 players who have moved their homes to play at other schools in the past 4 years all have got their ring. Carlsbad got one in 2002 and then TP in 2003 and 2004. There is no reason to place blame for your loss TP took the loss in the 2004 season with class and moved on. Brown you should be happy that you got one. Sorry brown you have just been out coached.

Detroit What! wrote on Dec 6, 2005 3:53 AM:You people dont even know what high school football is all about, go to detroit and then talk stuff. Good luck in the district finals, but know you wouldn't be there if it were the state finals!

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