2012 California Division III Bowl Preview: Marin Catholic vs. Madison

California Division III Bowl Game:
Marin Catholic (Kentfield) (14-1) vs.
Madison (San Diego) (13-1)

FACTS AND STATS
Rankings — Marin Catholic: State No. 46 by MaxPreps, No. 22 by Cal-Hi Sports. Madison: State No. 62 by MaxPreps.

Notable alums — Marin Catholic: Kahlil Bell (NFL free agent), Brooke Smith (WNBA), Nick Rolovich (OC at Nevada), Travis LaBoy (NFL free agent), Michael Reilly Burke (actor). Madison: Mike Martz (former NFL head coach), Al Fitzmorris (former MLB player), Robbie Rouse (Fresno State RB), Rich Tylski (former NFL player).

Leading rushers —
Marin Catholic: Akili Terry (257 carries-1,767 yards-26 touchdowns).
Madison: Pierre Cormier (200-1,976-26).

Leading passers —
Marin Catholic: Jared Goff (221 completions-338 attempts-3,430 yards-36 touchdowns-11 interceptions).
Madison: Kareem Coles (87-175-1,647-21-7).

Leading receivers —
Marin Catholic: Andrew Celis (66 catches-1,179 yards-9 touchdowns).
Madison: Lee Walker (35-634-11).

Points per game (allowed): Marin Catholic - 35.9 (13.2); Madison - 37.4 (19).

By MITCH STEPHENS
MaxPreps.com

Somebody is going to make amends in Carson on Saturday.

Both Marin Catholic and Madison have earned a spot in the Bowl Games once before and both ended up on the short end.

In 2009, Marin Catholic faced off against a pretty talented Serra (Gardena) team, one which featured current USC receivers Marqis Lee (the Biletnikoff winner), Robert Woods and George Farmer, and lost a highly competitive game 24-20.

In the 2010 Division III title game, favored Madison dropped a 30-14 game to a highly-charged Escalon team that brought seemingly the entire town to Southern California.

Madison had a similarly tough offensive outing in last week's regional final against Monrovia, but the Warhawks gritted out the victory thanks to their defense and special teams.

Arizona-bound Lee Walker returned a kickoff for a 91-yard touchdown. Jamie Gomez not only scored the team's lone offensive touchdown on a 4-yard run, but he also intercepted two passes, returning one for a score.

And junior defensive back Michael Garner cinched the win with an interception in the final seconds of play.

It all led to Madison's 12th straight win even though normally big-play and Arizona-bound back Pierre Cormier had a season low 11 carries for 36 yards, and athletic dual-threat sophomore quarterback Kareem Coles was held to just 79 yards of offense.

"That's the sign of a very good team. They can pull out a win against a very good opponent even when they aren't clicking," Marin Catholic coach Mazi Moayed said. "From everything I've seen on film, we got our hands full."

Moayed was the defensive coordinator for the Wildcats in 2009 when they "held" Serra to just three touchdowns. There is satisfaction now in that defeat — especially considering how accomplished many of Serra's players have become — but the sting of that loss still hurts.

And Moayed said his players and staff don't want to feel it again.

"It's a long season and you want to win your last game that's for sure," he said. "We're happy to be here representing Northern California, but our objective is definitely to come out victorious."

MARIN CATHOLIC OFFENSE VS. MADISON DEFENSE
Marin Catholic's poster player is Jared Goff, a poised 6-foot-5, 190-pound senior quarterback who has committed to Cal. He's been a three-year starter and during that time the Wildcats have gone 39-3.

That's not a coincidence.

Goff is as polished as the come, the son of former Major League catcher Gerry Goff. The young quarterback can make every throw and is a classic drop-back passer. He's also rushed for seven touchdowns this season.

"He's got all the tools and all the intangibles," Moayed said. "No matter what the situation, he remains calm and cool and even keeled."

With more than 3,400 yards in the air, the Wildcats look to pass first but rapidly improving Terry, a 6-foot, 207-pound specimen, keeps defenses honest. He can run inside and outside, but considering the speed of Madison's defense, most of his yards should come by slashing through the middle.

"Akili is solid in every aspect," Moayed said. "He's gotten stronger as the season has progressed."

One of Goff's strengths is spreading the ball around but no doubt his big-player receiver is Andrew Celis, a 6-foot, 180-pound do-everything player. Celis plays defense and returns kicks too. He's only a junior.

Goff has numerous other threats including Colton Hanley, Michael Devine and Danny Noonan. Eight different Wildcats have at least 14 catches.

The team's offensive line is one of its strengths, led by the Marin County Athletic League's Lineman of the Year Gunnar Graham (6-5, 280), who is headed to Colorado.

Madison's defense is led by senior linebacker Keoni Kanoa (5-8, 190), who makes up for his lack of size with great instincts and a nose for the ball. He leads the team with 150 tackles, including 14 against Monrovia.

Kamden Valencia (5-11, 210) also has more than 100 tackles, with 107, from his linebacker spot. He had a combined 28 tackles in two section games to help Madison to the regional.

Austen Scarville leads the team's secondary with six interceptions. Madison's line on both sides is led by the Vermillion twins, Sam (6-4, 250) and Jake (6-4, 265).

MADISON OFFENSE VS. MARIN CATHOLIC DEFENSE
There's a perfect trio of play-makers in Kareem Coles, Pierre Cormier and Lee Walker. Junior Michael Garner (16 catches, five TDs) and Jamie Gomez have been other key strengths.

Coles, a 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore, has also rushed for 897 yards and six touchdowns.

"First and foremost we need to contain him," Moayed said. "He's incredibly dynamic."

So are many of the Warhawks according to Moayed, who said they are comparable to the Serra team of 2009. "They have a tremendous dual-threat quarterback, phenomenal running back and a couple Division I receivers. Their middle linebacker and secondary (are) outstanding. They've got size up front — we'll have our hands full."

Three-year starting linebacker Alex Poksay hopes he has his hands full of Warhawk players. "He's the heart and soul of the defense and team," Moayed said. "He's a sheer football player, got a great nose to the ball and tackles exceptionally well. He understands the game. He's like a coach on the field."

The team's line and secondary has played extremely well, led by junior Sam Killpack (nine interceptions). In nine of the team's last 12 games, the defense has allowed less than 10 points.

EXTRA POINTS
Marin Catholic's top all-around player Nick Devere has missed the entire season with a torn ACL. According to coaches and players, Devere was the team's top play-maker and big-play receiver and an extremely physical and fast defensive back … Devere has suited up for many games and is the team's inspirational leader. "I play for him," Poksay said. "He reminds me it's a privilege to be on the field. He has such a great attitude and supports us all the way. It's unfair a guy who works so hard and wants it that much has to sit and watch." … Cormier, Walker and Gomez played varsity as sophomores when Madison made it to Carson. None of them handled the ball that day, a game that was played in a rain storm …. That day, Madison mustered just 218 yards, including 29 on the ground.