CARSON, Calif. - When Robert Woods took a short out on the first play of the game and zoomed upfield for a 67-yard touchdown, the Serra-Gardena fans cheered wildly and Marin Catholic’s faithful probably screamed “oh no.”
But this CIF Division III Bowl championship game turned to be a “oh yes” in every sense as heavy underdog Marin Catholic gave more than a good fight but lost 24-20 in an entertaining game at the Home Depot Center on Saturday.
The USC-bound Woods was superlative, with eight catches and 180 yards and two touchdowns as the Cavaliers won their first state bowl title and finished the season 15-0. Unquestionably, he was the difference. 
Serra (Gardena) vs. Marin Catholic
“The first play set the tone,” Woods said. “I don’t think we relaxed at all. We knew (the Wildcats) were going to be tough and they were. We were just a little tougher at the end.”
Marin Catholic (13-2), winners of 13 straight coming in, gave Serra a much better game than anticipated behind a rugged, double-wing, ball-control attack led by 6-foot, 215-pound tailback Chris Adams, who finished with 25 carries for 117 yards.
But the Cavaliers kept Adams, who came in with 2,326 yards and 30 touchdowns, out of the end zone.
"He was tough to bring down," said Woods, also a starting free safety. "But we didn't let him score."
Serra was coming off an emotional 42-41 overtime win over nationally-ranked Oaks Christian.
“We weren’t worried about a letdown,” Serra coach Scott Altenberg said. “But we were worried about Marin Catholic’s offense and a slow down.”
Indeed the Wildcats controlled the ball, 30 minutes, 19 seconds to 17:41, but they were shut out offensively in the second half.
Marin Catholic’s only score after intermission came on a 52-yard fumble return by sophomore Chris Tewhill, who also played quarterback for three quarters after starter Nate Kristoff went out with a hip pointer in the first quarter.
“Our defense was stout the second half,” Altenberg said. “And Robert – what can you say. I’ve coached him four years and the things he does off and on the field is indescribable. We’re going to miss him.”
It was an emotional loss for the Wildcats. Adams couldn’t stop weeping afterward.
The 6-foot, 215-pound senior and his Wildcats exhausted every ounce of everything they had to make a game against an ultra fast and talented team that most thought would win by at least three touchdowns.
Photo by Dirk Dewachter
Marin Catholic's defense did a good job holding down the Serra running game.
“People have underestimated us all year,” Adams said who rushed for all those yards with seemingly half of Serra’s defense riding his back. “You can’t measure the heart we have.”
Serra probably has a pretty good idea.
The Cavaliers needed all the extraordinary talents of Woods to prevail.
“The thing is we actually had a chance to win the game so it hurts," said Marin Catholic coach Ken Peralta, who along with his staff called a super game. "We just kept playing. We told the guys not to read the newspapers or they’d believe (Serra) was unbeatable.”
When Woods, also a track star, took a short screen from senior quarterback Conner Preston on the game’s first play and zoomed by everyone the rout appeared on.
But the Wildcats were prepared for what they called “so what” moments. The responded immediately with a 16-play, 82-yard drive capped by a 13-yard TD pass from Kristoff to Tyler Scott. The drive chewed up nine minutes, 13 seconds.
“We knew what we wanted to do and we just did it,” said 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior tackle Mike Padovese. “We may have surprised other people, but not us.”
After recovering an onside kick – a brilliant move – the Wildcats drove to the Serra 11, but they lost a fumble. Serra immediately drove 85 yards, capped by an 11-yard TD pass Preston to Paul Richardson, making it 14-7 with 6:32 left in the half.
“It’s a quarterback’s dream to play for this team,” said Preston, who finished 14 of 25 for 240 yards and three scores.
Photo by Dirk Dewachter
Serra quarterback Conner Preston threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
Once again, Marin Catholic didn’t flinch as Tewhill found Scott wide open at midfield and he outran a fleet secondary, to tie the game at 14-14 heading into halftime.
“I knew I had to step in, my line gave me time and Tyler did the rest,” Tewhill said.
Tewhill made another huge play after Serra took a 17-14 lead. Teammate J.J. Demski forced a fumble and he picked it up and raced 52 yards untouched for a TD, giving the Wildcats a 20-17 lead with 7:19 left in the third quarter.
“Lucky bounce,” Tewhill said.
Said Altenberg: “We haven’t done that all year. We came in with 10 turnovers. But give them credit.”
From there, Woods took over, taking another short out – this one to the left - and zooming 30 yards for a touchdowns, making it 24-20 with 1:53 left in the third.
Woods stopped and stuttered at the 28, spun to evade tacklers at the 21, then high-kicked it into gear and into the end zone.
“It was kind of like playing Madden on that play or a video,” Woods said. “I hit all the buttons.”
Said Peralta: “Pete Carroll didn’t recruit him just because he’s handsome.”
Later in the quarter Woods had an electrifying 62-yard punt return for a TD that was nullified by penalty and in the fourth, he turned another short pattern into a 29-yard play but fumbled at the goal line. The ball trickled out of the end zone for a touchback giving Marin Catholic one last chance.
But after one first down, Serra’s defense stiffened and then the Cavilers ran out the clock. Despite losing time of possession (30:19 to 17:41), Serra prevailed.
Photo by Dirk Dewachter
Adams tried to carry Marin Catholic to the title but Serra eventually stopped him and the Wildcats.
“It just hurts because it’s all over,” Adams said. “I wouldn’t trade these guys for anybody.”
Either would any of the Cavaliers, especially first-year quarterback Preston who transferred to the school from Pacific Palisades last winter.
“I just sat back at times in the game and soaked it all in,” Preston said. “It was like ‘wow, were playing on the last day of the season with your friends at this beautiful place for a state championship. And we won. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Serra 24, Marin Catholic 20
Marin Catholic 7 7 6 0 - 20
Serra 7 7 10 0 - 24
First quarter
S – Woods 67 pass from Preston (Olloqui kick), 11:42
MC – Scott 13 pass from Kristoff (Wiessler kick), 2:20
Second quarter
S – Richardson 11 pass from Preston (Olloqui kick), 6:32
MC – Scott 82 pass from Tewhill (Wiessler kick), 5:19
Third quarter
S – FG, Olloqui 34, 9:17
MC – Tewhill 52 fumble return (pass failed), 7:19
S – Woods 30 pass from Preston (Olloqui kick), 1:53
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
MC: Adams 25-117, Parker 8-26, Brown 2-15, Scott 1-4, Kristoff 3-2, Tewhill 7-(-2). S: Richard 10-32, Farmer 3-25, Spann 2-13, Preston 4-12, McGee 1-11.
PASSING
MC: Tewhill 3-7-1-82, Kristoff 4-4-0-37. S: Preston 14-25-0-240.
RECEIVING
MC: Scott 2-95, Cortright 3-24, Firenzi 1-6, Adams 1-(-6). S: Woods 8-180, Richardson 2-25, Anderson 1-13, Spann 1-11, Richard 1-11, Farmer 1-0.
TACKLES
MC: Traver 10, Popovich 8, Hartwig 6, Demski 6. S: Benwikere 10, Maola 11, Gibson 8.
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs: MC 13, Serra 16
Rushing attempts-yards: MC 46-162, Serra 20-93.
Passing: MC 7-11-1-119, Serra 14-25-0-240.
Total yards: MC 281, Serra 333
Turnovers: MC 3, Serra 2
Penalties: MC 2-10, Serra 6-58
Time of possession: MC 30:19, Serra 17:41