REDWOOD CITY, CA - In the 61st meeting between rival schools, the Sequoia Cherokees defeated the Carlmont Scots 41-19 in the last regular season game of the year.
Seniors Sione Tuivailala, Tommy Lopiparo and Aidan Pierce led Sequoia (4-6) to victory and made their last game in a Cherokee uniform one to remember,
“I wouldn’t change anything,” said Tuivailala. “My brothers fed off of me and I fed off of my brothers.”
Standouts for the Scots were Willie Te’o, who worked at quarterback and defensive tackle Elie Abinader.
Sequoia opened the game with a touchdown by Tuivailala just 59 seconds in, and worked up to a comfortable lead of 20-0 by halftime.
The Carlmont (5-5) offense put up a valiant effort in the second half, led by Te’o at quarterback. After a scoreless first half, the Scots were able to get on the board early in the third quarter when receiver Berto Ruiz returned the kickoff for a touchdown.
The Scots then scored twice more in the game’s final quarter, but were unable to convert both the extra point after the first score and an attempted 2-point-conversion after the second.
The Cherokee offense was led by Lopiparo at quarterback, a position he took over halfway through the season.
Lopiparo shared the quarterback role with Pierce, who kept the ball and carried for a Cherokee touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
“It’s definitely bittersweet,” said Pierce. “I’m sad that football’s over, but I’m glad it ended with a touchdown and a win.”
According to head coach Rob Poulos, the Cherokees’ biggest strength was in their mindset.
“They kept their focus, they didn’t let the rivalry take away from what they were doing,” he said.
Sequoia’s win brought the rivalry to a tie with 30 wins for each team and one tie.
