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Dons bounced in semis by North County connections

By: TOM SHANAHAN - For the North County Times | Saturday, December 3, 2005 10:57 PM PST ∞

CHULA VISTA ---- The former Carlsbad High quarterback offered too much offense. And the former football coach at Carlsbad and Ramona put together a defensive game plan that was too stingy against the run.

As a result St. Augustine, defeated Cathedral Catholic 23-6 in a CIF San Diego Section Division III semifinal Saturday night played before more than 8,000 fans at Southwestern College.

The second-seeded Saints (9-3) advanced to the Division III final against Point Loma (12-0) on Dec. 13 at Qualcomm Stadium by rolling up 415 total yards while limiting No. 3 seed Cathedral (8-4-0) to 164.

St. Augustine junior quarterback Chris Forcier, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior transfer from Carlsbad, completed 21-of-33 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, Saints defensive coordinator Mel Galli, a long-time coach in the North County, stacked his defensive front to stop the Cathedral running game.

Dons running back Demetrius Sumler, who established the section career rushing record in a quarterfinal win over Ramona, finished the game with 17 carries for 81 yards rushing and one reception for a 21-yard touchdown.

Sumler's career concluded with a record total of 5,650 yards rushing and his senior year ended with a total of 2,467 yards.

The Saints' defense stopped Sumler early, limiting him to 12 yards on eight carries in the first half. Meanwhile, Forcier directed scoring drives on two if his first three possessions en route to a 17-0 halftime lead.

Forcier connected with Nebraska-bound receiver Menelik Holt on a 28-yard touchdown catch for a 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the first quarter. The Saints added a 39-yard field goal by Nate Whitaker and a 73-yard touchdown pass from Forcier to senior Dustin Driscoll. Forcier hit Driscoll behind the secondary down the right sideline with a mere flick of the wrist.

The Saints' early lead forced the ground-oriented Dons to play catch-up ball, but they struggled with their passing game. Cathedral finished 3-of-15 for 44 yards.