Las Lomas knew it needed a flawless effort to win on Friday night.
Instead, it got a mistake-filled one.
In the second round of the North Coast Section playoffs, seventh-seeded Las Lomas ended its season with a 42-20 loss to second-seeded Casa Grande in Petaluma on Friday.
Las Lomas (6-6) got off to a fast start. The Knights recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff at the Casa Grande 19, and senior quarterback Lucas Gorton scored on a one-yard sneak. Casa Grande (11-1) then turned the ball back over to the Knights, and Gorton found senior receiver Jacob Mayer in the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown.
However, the game quickly turned on the Knights.
“We didn’t play very well on offense,” said Knights head coach Doug Longero. “That’s the bottom line.”
Casa Grande struck in the second quarter, scoring four consecutive touchdowns. The Gauchos got a huge game from junior quarterback Nick Sherry, who threw for five touchdowns, four in the second quarter.
“When two teams play, there will be a loser,” said junior running back Marquis Waters, who was held to just eight yards rushing. “It’s part of the game.”
Sherry ended the game with 184 yards. Four of his touchdowns were caught by junior Tyler White.
The Knights turned the ball over four times in the game. Senior Matt Carter cut the Casa Grande lead to 28-20 in the third quarter, but the Gaucho defense held the Knights off of the scoreboard from that point on. Even so, the team was feeling good about the season as a whole.
“I had a good time,” said senior receiver Chase Herring. “We had an awesome comeback from a 1-4 start. I’m proud of all the guys for not giving up and getting this far.”
Five Knights were named to the All-DFAL first team, according to the Contra Costa Times. In addition, three were second team selections. Las Lomas will lose 21 seniors and return just six starters next season.
“They are going to have to decide where to leave their legacy,” said Longero. “We lose a lot of really good players this year, so it’s going to be tough.”
