Saint Ignatius raced back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to post a stunning 35-31 win at Aptos in the first round of the CCS Division III playoffs. With the win, Saint Ignatius (4-6-1) advances to the CCS semifinals to meet the winner of Saturday night's contest between third-seeded Valley Christian and No. 6 Burlingame. Aptos finishes its season at 9-2.
After building a 24-7 lead on the strength of a 24-point second quarter, the host Mariners seemed to have matters in hand when they scored on a Cody Capurro one-yard run to take a 31-21 lead with just 4:48 to play in the game. But the Wildcats struck back quickly as wide receiver Travis McDow (3 receptions, 83 yards) hit Mike Pia (4 receptions, 71 yards) on a 42-yard flea-flicker to set the Wildcats up on the Aptos 11. Quarterback Jack Stinn (10-of-23, 199 yards, 1 TD) scored on a seven-yard keeper to make it 31-28 with 4:00 to play.
Saint Ignatius held Aptos to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Stinn rallied the Wildcats down the field yet again on a sustained drive. Running back Dom Truoccolo (11 carries, 52 yards, 2 TDs) capped the drive with his second touchdown of the night, a three-yard run to put the Wildcats up, 35-31, with 38 seconds left in the game.
Saint Ignatius RB Kerry Crowley (11 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD) got the 'Cats on the board first with a 10-yard run at the 2:00 mark of the first quarter, but the Mariners sailed to the 24-7 halftime lead on the strength of second quarter rushing touchdowns by Tyler Morgan (4-44), Philip Rojas (16-122) and QB Riggs Powell (22-127, 3-of-10 passing, 51 yards, 1 INT) and a 31-yard field goal by Brooks Nicholson. However, Saint Ignatius held Aptos scoreless in the third quarter and drew within 24-14 on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Stinn to Andrew Vollert with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.
