2012 California Division IV Bowl Preview: Central Catholic vs. Santa Fe Christian

California Division IV Bowl Game:
Central Catholic (Modesto) (13-2) vs.
Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) (11-3)

FACTS AND STATS

Rankings — Central Catholic: State No. 48 by MaxPreps. Santa Fe Christian: State No. 205 by MaxPreps.

Notable alums — Central Catholic: Byron Storer (NFL), Chris Pritchett (MLB).

Leading rushers —
Central Catholic: Ray Lomas IV (219 carries-1,901 yards-31 touchdowns); Rey Vega (113-1,322-24).
Santa Fe Christian: Tony Miro (148-1,133-14); Hunter Vaccaro (138-981-16).

Leading passers —
Central Catholic: Garrett Ardis (96 completions-169 attempts-1,556 yards-19 TDs-11 INTs).
Santa Fe Christian: Vaccaro (46-92-793-8-6).

Leading receivers —
Central Catholic: Johnny Mundt (32-583-8); Nathan Loya (32-610-8).
Santa Fe Christian: Troy Zarubin (11-207-2).

Points per game (allowed) - Central Catholic: 49.1 (17.7). Santa Fe Christian: 33.9 (18.1)

By COLIN WARD-HENNINGER
MaxPreps.com

Central Catholic and Santa Fe Christian are probably taking buses to their meeting Friday at 4 p.m. in the Division IV State Bowl game at Home Depot Center, but they'd probably get there faster if they ran.

After all, running has gotten each of these teams to this point in the season.

Central Catholic rushed for 351 yards and five of the team's six touchdowns in its convincing 42-12 victory against McClymonds (Oakland) in last week's Regional Bowl. The game was never in doubt, as the Raiders led 21-0 after the first quarter, and 42-0 after the third.

The Central Catholic defense was able to handle the quickness of McClymonds, something running back Rey Vega attributes to hard work.

"We knew they had a lot of speed, but we also have a lot of speed to go with our power," Vega told the Modesto Bee. "We've worked really hard for what we have, and we wanted to show them right from the start what we're about."

Santa Fe Christian is no stranger to the run either, rushing for 369 yards and all four touchdowns out of the Wing-T offense in a thrilling 30-28 Regional Bowl win against Rio Hondo Prep.

The Eagles trailed 21-14 at halftime after an improbable double-pass Hail Mary resulted in a Rio Hondo Prep touchdown.

Trailing with 5:44 left in the game, Santa Fe Christian engineered a game-winning drive highlighted by senior quarterback Hunter Vaccaro's 37-yard run and capped off by a 1-yard run by Jerry Harper.

“I’m nothing without the guys up front,” Vaccaro told U-T San Diego. “Plus, we have so many weapons in our offense.

Both teams are hot at the right time — Central Catholic has won 11 straight and Santa Fe Christian is riding a nine-game win streak.

Don't expect a lot of passing in Friday's game, as both teams rely heavily on the run. But with the athletes each team has on both sides of the ball, there will be no shortage of entertainment.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC OFFENSE VS. SANTA FE CHRISTIAN DEFENSE

Central Catholic will go as far as its two star running backs, Ray Lomas IV and Rey Vega, will take them. The two-headed monster has accounted for over 3,200 yards and 55 touchdowns this season. Lomas shouldered the load largely on his own until Vega made his highly-anticipated season debut (150 rushing yards, 4 TDs) in the Raiders' seventh game of the season after being forced to sit out due to transfer rules.

In a thunder-and-lightning combination, Lomas is generally more of a bruiser and pounder while Vega uses his speed to burn the tired defense.

"We soften up the defense early, then Rey comes with his speed and that's the end of it," Lomas told the Modesto Bee. "If I'm hit, I try to spin out of it. If I see him (the defender) coming, I'll use a little juke. I'm not fast like Rey, but I'm no turtle. I can make people miss, too."

The Raiders have almost solely relied on the rushing attack recently, attempting only 30 passes over their last five games. Quarterback Garrett Ardis is certainly capable of making throws when necessary, however, as he showed by completing 21 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns in a tough loss to larger school Placer early in the season.

The Santa Fe Christian defense will have its hands full with the Ray-Rey combo, but the Eagles have proven that they know how to clamp down. They have allowed eight or fewer points six times this season, including two shutouts.

Junior OL/LB Darrian Borboa leads the team with 131 total tackles while senior safety Troy Zarubin has put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, coming up with 9.5 sacks.

In last week's Regional Bowl win the Eagles allowed just a single touchdown in the second half after allowing 21 first-half points.

SANTA FE CHRISTIAN OFFENSE VS. CENTRAL CATHOLIC DEFENSE

If Central Catholic's passing game is minimal, Santa Fe Christian's is practically nonexistent.

That was never more evident than in last week's Regional Bowl game, where the Eagles managed to put up 30 points and beat Rio Hondo Prep without completing a single pass (they only attempted four, two of which were intercepted).

"We don’t attempt to do anything fancy," head coach Nick Ruscetta told U-T San Diego. "We do what allows you to win at the high school level. The wideouts don’t get the ball much, but at the end of the day, winning floats kids’ boats."

But when your quarterback is also one of your team's best runners, the passing game becomes less important.

Senior Hunter Vaccaro is second on the team with 138 rushing attempts and 981 yards, and leads the team with 16 rushing touchdowns. He is also the unquestioned leader and heart-and-soul of the Eagles.

"Hunter’s our Johnny Football," Ruscetta told U-T San Diego. "There isn’t anything the young man can’t do."

Vaccaro and junior Tony Miro, who leads the team with 1,133 rushing yards, create a formidable one-two punch that has proven difficult for defenses to stop. Senior Conor Keith and juniors Jerry Harper and Cole Needham also receive significant carries.

The Central Catholic defense trying to stop the run is led by senior defensive end Johnny Mundt, who has a team-best 15.5 sacks on the season. A fellow senior, lineman Terrell Elder, has added to the pressure by coming up with 12 sacks of his own.

The Raiders secondary is anchored by senior Abbate, who leads the team with 9 interceptions. Seniors Jacob Hodges and Nathan Loya have four interceptions apiece.

EXTRA POINTS

Santa Fe Christian head coach Nick Ruscetta took over for former coach Brian Sipe, who is now the quarterbacks coach at San Diego State ... Vega (3.7 GPA) has received attention from Fresno State and Cal, while Lomas (3.3 GPA) has attracted UC Davis and the University of San Diego ... Hunter Vaccaro, listed at 5-8, 155, bench presses 215 pounds, power cleans 210 and squats 310; his twin brother Connor is 5-11, 195 and plays offensive and defensive line for the Eagles.