Righetti's season comes to abrupt end

VENTURA -- The Righetti Warriors' super season ended all too soon Friday night at Ventura High School's Larrabee Stadium.

Righetti fell to the Buena Bulldogs, 40-34, in the first round of the CIF Division IV football playoffs.

It was a knockdown, drag-out battle from the opening play, with the Warriors hanging in until the final play of the game.

Righetti struck first and fast. Ryan Mole, the Warriors' outstanding running back, took a handoff from quarterback John Thomas on the game's first play, broke through the defense and raced 60 yards untouched into the endzone.

Lafe Viker's point after made it 7-0 just 13 seconds into the game.

It was no secret that Buena would rely on the running of Alex Garfio. The senior running back had carried the Bulldogs to an 8-2 record and secondf place in the Channel League during the regular season.

On their first series Garfio carried the ball three times and Righetti effectively shut him down.

On a fourth-and-19, Buena Kicker Luis Gamino shanked a punt 13 yards, falling feebly at the Buena 32. Righetti defensive back Thomas Clark fell on the ball and fumbled. The Bulldogs recovered, Buena gained new life and Righetti the chance to grab the ball with great field position.

The mistake also gave Buena momentum.

Three more Garfio runs then came the first of coach Rick Scott's many trick games. Wide receiver Justin Ishida went in motion. Quarterback Garrett Cushing faked to Garfio and handed the ball to Ishida who raced around the right side and down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown.

Luis Gamino's point after made it 7-7 with 7:07 left in the first quarter.

Buena held the Warriors on their next drive, then began a 12-play, 64-yard drive ending with Cushing's 6-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. The PAT put the Bulldogs up 14-7.

Righetti would come right back with an 8-play, 64 yard drive. Mole scored from 39 yards out. Viker's kick tied the game at 14 with 8:06 left in the half.

Back came Buena. Randy Nava took Viker's kick at the 5-yard line and returned it to the 42. 13 plays later, most of them Garfio runs, and Garfio ran it in from the 5-yard line with 2:17 remaining in the half. Buena's two-point conversion try failed and it was 20-14 at the half.

Garfio scored again with 5:16 left in the third quarter and Buena was up 26-14. Righetti came back with Mole scoring from 3 yards out as time ran out in the third quarter. Score 26-20.'

Buena tried to put the Warriors away with a two-play, 47-yard drive. Garfio gained 7, then 40 and the Bulldogs were up 40-20 with 9:42 left in the game.

Still the Warriors wouldn't quit. Mole picked up the ensuing kickoff and ran it back 70-yards for a score. Righetti was back in it, 40-27, with 9:32 left in the game.

St. Bonaventure 35, AG 20

SANTA BARBARA -- Whitney Lewis and Matt Lee did the Eagles (6-4) in at Santa Barbara City College's La Playa Stadium as the top-seeded Seraphs (10-1) moved on to the second round in Division IV.

Lewis scored on runs of 2 and 25 yards and sandwiched those scores around a 69-yard reception for a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Brian Stevens. Lee had 77 yards on just four carries and opened the scoring with a 52-yard run.

Paso Robles 42, Santa Monica 8

PASO ROBLES -- The Bearcats (8-3) emphatically turned the tables on the Vikings (7-4) in this Division IV first-rounder. Last year in the Division X semis, Santa Monica ended Paso Robles' run of consecutive division titles at three.

Vince Freitas scored on a 55-yard run in the second half for Paso Robles. He had 101 yards on just eight carries.

Culver City 36, St. Joseph 22

CULVER CITY -- The second-seeded Centaurs (10-1) sent the Knights (2-8) out of the Division X playoffs despite big nights by St. Joseph's Nick San Juan and Tim Savey.

San Juan racked up 142 yards on 26 carries and scored twice. Savey had 137 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown.

November 23, 2002