UPDATE: In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Jason Lewis propelled North Torrance to a decisive 48-14 victory over South Torrance in a critical Pioneer League matchup on October 27, 2023. Lewis scored three touchdowns and rushed for 60 yards, stepping up magnificently in the absence of injured starter Jaydan Andrade.
Earlier this week, Coach Todd Croce emphasized the need for players to rise to the occasion, and Lewis, alongside teammate Steven Sarabia, delivered exactly what was required. “We had a rough first half, but then came out in the second half after a good speech by my boy, Luca (Galdamez),” Lewis stated. “He just told us we need to lock in. No more playing around.”
The Saxons started strong in the second half, igniting their offense with momentum after a powerful drive that culminated in a touchdown from the 1-yard line, narrowing the score to 27-14. Lewis then found the end zone twice more, once from the 1-yard line and again with a stunning 17-yard rush, solidifying North’s commanding lead.
Coach Croce praised the second half performance, noting, “It was nice to see the second half offense come out and score on all possessions.” In addition to Lewis’s standout performance, Ethan Edwards also shone, throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kchole Mataele-Juarez and intercepting two critical passes as part of a formidable defensive effort.
“I just knew I had to put the team on my back,” Edwards remarked. “We missed out on Jaydan a lot but they (Lewis and Sarabia) for sure stepped up.”
North Torrance now improves to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the league, showcasing their resilience and depth. Meanwhile, South Torrance, with just 33 players on its roster, struggles with fatigue as they fall to 3-6 and 0-4 in the league. Coach Matt Mishler acknowledged the toll fatigue took on his players, particularly in the second half.
Despite the loss, South’s quarterback Chase Spahr, who leads the Pioneer League in passing, managed to score on an 8-yard run and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Kerekes. “Their d-line was pretty active,” Spahr commented, reflecting on the challenges faced against a relentless North Torrance defense.
As the season progresses, North Torrance looks to build on this momentum, while South Torrance will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next matchup. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as both teams aim for a strong finish to the season.
