POWAY -- The Torrey Pines High football team struggled mightily in the first half of Friday night's Palomar League contest with Poway.

In the second half, the Falcons proved why they're the CIF San Diego Section's top-ranked team.

Torrey Pines overcame a 10-point first-half deficit, slowed the Titans' passing attack and pulled out a dramatic 38-27 victory in the league opener for both teams.

"Torrey Pines showed why they're the best team in the county," Poway coach Damian Gonzalez said. "They played a great second half."

Falcons quarterback Blake Vanderwiel personified Torrey Pines' overall performance. He couldn't keep the team moving early on, but righted the ship in time to put up 106 yards through the air, 75 yards on the ground and help the Falcons score 28 second-half points.

Vanderweil put Torrey Pines (5-0, 1-0) on top for the first time since the opening score on a gritty 16-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal that included several broken tackles.

"I saw an opening, and I took off," Vanderwiel said.

"Somebody grabbed my jersey from behind, but I just kept my legs moving and somehow got into the end zone.

"That moment was undoubtedly the best feeling I've had this season."

Poway quarterback Donnie McKillop, who was 18-of-31 passing 297 yards and had 35 more on 16 carries, responded. The senior led his team on an 80-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to John Hamilton with 7 minutes, 17 seconds remaining.

Vanderwiel again countered, leading a 66-yard drive that ended in a 4-yard touchdown run from Pete Johnson with 4:11 left.

But then, Torrey Pins linebacker Zach Weir broke the cycle.

He hit McKillop on Poway's next play from scrimmage and forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Bryce Lewis.

"I honestly thought he was going to get the ball away," Weir said. "At that point, all I was trying to do was hit him hard, to make him think twice before he rolled out of the pocket. But I got to him, and hit him as hard as I could. The next thing I knew the ball was on the ground."

Johnson scored again, effectively ending the chance of a Poway (4-2, 0-1) comeback.

McKillop, however, Poway back down the field despite being 10 points down with only seconds to play. But he was tackled at the 1-yard line as time expired, ending his tireless comeback campaign.

"Donnie's just a battler," Gonzalez said. "He's one of the most-competitive people I've ever met, and he'll never quit until the last whistle blows. He gave an outstanding effort and left everything on the field."

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