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Portola Bulldogs celebrate after capturing the CIF Division 11 title at home. (PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Portola High School football coach Peter Abe had a message for his players after the final game of the season that ended the most successful in the program’s seven-year history.
Abe told his players to be proud of what they had achieved this season and to hold their heads high, stay together and “Protect the Bulldog Pedigree,” the theme of the program since its inception.
After the 27-21 overtime loss to Arcata in the CIF 6-AA state final at Fullerton Saturday Abe emphasized how the players stuck together and kept battling despite an 0-5 start to reach the CIF finals for the first time in school history. Portola finished with a 9-7 record. The Bulldogs finished second in the Omicron League with a 4-1 record.
A couple weeks before the state final, Portola won the CIF Division 11 title, the first CIF crown for the program, then a week later captured the CIF South Regional title with an overtime win over King Drew on the road to advance into the state final.
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PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone
Abe praised the effort of his coaching staff after Saturday’s state final at Fullerton.
“The magnitude (of the season) is wild,” said Abe who was named Orange County coach of the year by OC Varsity Thursday. “My hats off to that staff, getting these kids back from 0-5 and then literally ripping off 9-2 (record), that is ridiculous, that’s probably the best coaching job our assistants have done in a long time.”
“I’ve thought for years they’ve been one of the best staffs around, but to keep guys focused and refocused and keeping them laser focused and eyes on the prize, has been the thing this year.
“The kids bought in and the community bought and they come to work every single week. Tempo is up, energy is up, even at halftime, they were up and ready to go, they (Arcata) played better in the second half. Two goods teams battling it out in the middle of December, it comes down to a couple of plays and they had the play.”
Portola players will receive rings in honor of their accomplishments. Abe said he believes the rings will most likely include recognition of both the CIF Southern Section crown and the So Cal regional title.
“Exciting stuff, CIF champs and CIF regional champs,” Abe said.
“I think we’re all going to be very excited when we get our rings and look back and be very proud of our season,” added Portola quarterback Nash Luper.
As for the future of the program, Abe said:
“I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
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—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
