Titans oust Falcons on late touchdown drive

By: RICHARDSON MIRON - For the North County Times | Saturday, November 25, 2006 12:27 AM PST ∞

Poway's Nick Milani, right, is congratulated by Tynan Murray after he intercepts the ball in the second quarter against Torrey Pines at Torrey Pines High School on Friday night.
ROBERT BENSON Staff Photographer
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CARMEL VALLEY ----Donnie McKillop has had his heart broken several times this season. On Friday night, he did the breaking.

The Poway High quarterback completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jared Relyea with 14 seconds remaining, giving the Titans a dramatic 27-21 victory over Torrey Pines in the CIF Division I quarterfinals.

After wasting a 21-0 halftime lead, the Titans (6-5) appeared to be in the midst of another come-from-ahead loss. But the North County's top-rated passer McKillop, who finished the night 19-of-23 for 226 yards and two touchdowns, led the Titans 75 yards on four plays in 35 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown.

"This was unbelievable; everyone just came through at the end," a jubilant McKillop said after the thrilling finish against the county's third-ranked Falcons (9-2). "Our offensive line blocked great and Jared came through with the catch. It was amazing."

While it was McKillop's arm that dazzled in the clutch, his Torrey Pines counterpart Blake Vanderwiel came through with his legs on the tying drive.

With a 21-14 lead, Poway's Dan Verne fumbled on the Falcons' 30-yard line, giving Torrey Pines the ball with 1:33 remaining. Vanderwiel, who finished the night with 169 yards rushing on 12 carries, marched the Falcons down the field and tied the game himself with an 11-yard burst.

When Poway got the ball back, there were 49 seconds remaining ---- more than enough for McKillop and his resilient teammates.

"Nobody hung their head tonight," Poway coach Damian Gonzalez said. "We just kept fighting. ... We never quit. I'm so proud."

Torrey Pines coach Ed Burke blamed himself for some poor clock management at the end of the first half, but admitted Poway's McKillop-to-Relyea combination was the difference in the end.

"I thought both the quarterbacks, Blake and Donnie, played like warriors tonight," Burke said. "But there's no question, Donnie played outstanding. ... Unfortunately they were able to make one more play at the end."

During the first half, the Titans jumped ahead with three straight touchdown drives. Relyea hauled in the first score on a 22-yard pass from McKillop. The Titans also received rushing scores from Nick Ricciardulli (2 yards) and Nick Milani (4 yards).

Torrey Pines received touchdown during the third quarter from Colton Smith (on an 8-yard pass from Vanderwiel) and a 6-yard run by Kyle Moffatt.



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