Ukiah took an early 7-0 lead on host Campolindo Friday night, scoring with less than four minutes remaining in the opening quarter, but the Cougars roared back with 48 unanswered points to reach their third straight section title game.
Campo tied the game on a five-yard scoring run by Shun Ishida, just over a minute later, starting the string of points for the Cougars, who now await the winner of the Granada at Windsor game on Saturday night.
Short-yardage fullback Branden Bocobo gave Campolindo its first lead of the game with his two-yard scoring run late in the second quarter, and Jacob Westphal gave the Cougars some breathing room heading into halftime, when he hit Kannah Cruickshank for the 19-yard touchdown with eight seconds left in the second quarter.
A 24-point third quarter effectively ended any hope for a Ukiah comeback, as Bocobo added his second rushing score of the night, Matty Ringquist scored on the ground, and Paul Gannett recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. Seppi Ortman added a 42-yard field goal before the end of third quarter to ensure a running clock for the final 12 minutes.
The final points of the game were scored on a 31-yard field goal by Ortman. Westphal finished the game with 218 yards on 15-of-24 passing, with the one touchdown to Cruickshank.
Cardinal Newman 54 Piedmont 8
Quarterback Jordon Brookshire took control early to lead top-seed and host Cardinal Newman (11-1) to an easy North Coast Section Division 4 semifinal victory. Brookshire only played one series of the second half, but finished with three touchdowns and 91 yards rushing and was 9-for-10 passing for 119 yards.
Tanner Mendoza rushed for two touchdowns and Jason Moran had two interceptions on defense, including one he returned 28 yards for a score. Even the Cardinals reserves got into the action when back-up quarterback Beau Barrington scampered 41 yards for a score and Irvin Mann scored on a three-yard run.
Fifth-seed Piedmont (8-5) registered its only score with 1:37 left against the Newman subs on a 53-yard hook-and-ladder from Cole Kingston to Andrew Meredith.
Cardinal Newman will now play for a ninth NCS title and first since 2010 either next Friday or Saturday at Rancho Cotate, against the winner of the St. Bernard’s at Salesian game on Saturday.
Fort Bragg 20 Kelseyville 7
Lucas Triplett threw two touchdown passes to Shane Giaccani, and Trystin Strickland added a first-half scoring run, as the Timberwolves advanced to the Division 5 championship game with a win over the Knights.
Triplett’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Giaccani late in the fourth quarter put the game away, after Kelseyville had closed the gap on a nine-yard run by Dwayne Yiggins, two minutes earlier.
Fort Bragg advances to play St. Patrick-St. Vincent next Saturday, 7 pm at Alhambra High School.
