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Lucas Raya of El Dorado celebrates during the Golden Hawks semifinal victory Friday night. (Photos courtesy El Dorado Football).
El Dorado High School’s football team has a chance for its first CIF title since 2007 after a thrilling 30-29 double overtime victory over ML King in the Division 7 semifinals Friday night at Bradford Stadium.
El Dorado (8-5) hosts Mayfair (10-3) in the CIF championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. at Bradford Stadium.
“I am very excited for everyone: school, community, coaches and especially the players,” said El Dorado Coach Zack LaMonda on Saturday. “I have a great group of seniors and underclassmen; they all truly care about one another and they like playing together on the field.
“The program has come a long way since I took over nine years ago, but it really is the kids who work hard everyday, have bought into myself and my coaching staff to now put themselves in a position to play for a CIF championship; the first one since 2007.”
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El Dorado defeated Trabuco Hills 13-12 to win the Southwest Division title in 2007.
The Golden Hawks staged a big rally Friday night, coming back from a 16-3 deficit to win.
“The game was exciting and the kids battled to the very end,” LaMonda said. The defense held them to zero points in the second half and had two interceptions by Robby Hagar and Tyson Hartman.
“The defensive performance allowed the offense to make just enough plays in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 16 with less than a minute left to go in the game. In overtime both offense and defense made just enough plays to win in 2OT; the final play was a blocked extra point by Tanner Fronaberger, which hit the crossbar and bounced out into the end zone.”
El Dorado was led by quarterback Nate Bento, who completed 16 of 35 passes for 171 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 82 yards on 14 carries and a TD.
Tight end Nathan Meek had five receptions for 47 yards and a TD and Isaiah Quintero had 100 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdowns, LaMonda added.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
