CARLSBAD ---- With Seth Hanson, the team's leading rusher, out with an injury, the offensive load for the La Costa Canyon High football team fell to quarterback Garrett Krstich.

And the junior responded with one of his best games, leading the top-seeded Mavericks to a 21-7 win over archrival Torrey Pines on Friday in the quarterfinals of the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs.

The win ---- the 20th in a row for the defending champion Mavericks ---- propels LCC (11-0) into the semifinals against Vista. Torrey Pines finishes the season 5-6-1.

Krstich completed his first seven passes and finished 14-of-19 of 161 yards. He also rushed 11 times for 45 yards and a pair of touchdowns, often challenging defenders instead of sliding to the turf.

Seven of Krstich's passes went to senior Kenny Stills for 103 yards, giving Stills 2,954 career yards, breaking the San Diego Section record of 2,930 set last season by Valley Center's James Johnson.

"This was a rivalry game, and I was pumped," Krstich said. "There is nothing better.

"My job is to lead this team, but with Seth out we all had to step up.

"This was a big game. I love it. I live for games like this."

Asked about challenging defenders instead of flopping to the turf, Krstich said, "the defense expects me to go down or run out of bounds. When I take on a defender, it pumps up the team."

Both teams scored on their opening drives, then it turned into a defensive struggle.

LCC marched 77 yards on 11 plays and scored with 3:07 left in the half on a Krstich 1-yard sneak.

The Mavericks scored the only points of the second half, driving 98 yards on 13 plays with Krstich scoring on a 5-yard run in the third quarter.

"We played hard, and we played physical," said Torrey Pines coach Scott Ashby. "The guys played their hearts out.

"The defense played well in spurts. And the offense moved the ball at times.

"La Costa Canyon is a talented team, but we're building something here, too."

La Costa Canyon sacked Torrey Pines quarterback John Cabot eight times ---- four by Paul Quessenberry and one each by Ian Seau, Tucker Toolson, Spenser Laughter and Adam Witzmann.

The Mavericks held Torrey Pines to 72 yards rushing on 31 attempts and 88 yards passing.

"We just played Torrey Pines two weeks ago (in the Avocado League finale), so we made some adjustments," Quessenberry said. "We really executed well.

"Our defensive line is so good, we move really well. All the guys across the front can play.

"I think we're crazy good when we're all playing well."

LCC coach Darrin Brown wasn't crazy about his team's performance, but he wasn't about to throw back a win he called "ugly."

"Without Seth we're a different offense," Brown said. "But other guys stepped up, Weston Manor (20 carries for 149 yards) made me proud.

"Torrey Pines is a good football, and we changed some things up from a couple of weeks ago.

"But we can play defense. This team can most definitely play defense."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at 760-740-3547.