UPDATE: In a thrilling display of teamwork and resilience, Jason Lewis scored three touchdowns to propel North Torrance to a decisive 48-14 victory over South Torrance on October 6, 2023. With starting running back Jaydan Andrade sidelined due to injury, Lewis and teammate Steven Sarabia stepped up, leading North to improve their record to 6-3 and 2-2 in the Pioneer League.
The game took a turn after a halftime pep talk from Luca Galdamez, igniting a second-half surge from the Saxons. “We had a rough first half, but then we came out in the second half after a good speech by my boy, Luca,” Lewis stated. “He just told us we need to lock in.” This motivation fueled their offense, which dominated the second half.
North Torrance’s scoring spree began immediately in the third quarter, with Sarabia pushing through the South defense for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 27-14. Lewis then scored from the 1-yard line, followed by another touchdown from teammate Ethan Edwards. With just under nine minutes remaining, Lewis sealed the game with a 17-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead to a commanding 48-14.
Coach Todd Croce praised the second-half performance, saying, “It was nice to see the second-half offense come out and score on all possessions.” Edwards also shone in his dual role, throwing a 6-yard touchdown to Kchole Mataele-Juarez and intercepting two passes from South quarterback Chase Spahr.
Despite the loss, South Torrance has had a challenging season with a roster of just 33 players. Coach Matt Mishler noted the impact of fatigue on his team, especially in the second half. “We didn’t really have much life in the second half,” Mishler said. “Our guys still played to the finish, but I think a lot of fatigue settled in.”
Spahr, the league’s leading passer, managed to score with an 8-yard touchdown run and completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Kerekes. “Their d-line was pretty active, they had a lot of stunts going,” Spahr remarked, reflecting on the challenges faced throughout the game.
As both teams look ahead, North Torrance aims to build on this momentum, while South Torrance continues to seek improvement as they navigate the remainder of the season. Fans will be watching closely as the playoff picture begins to take shape in the coming weeks.
This victory for North Torrance not only showcases their depth but also highlights the spirit of teamwork and determination in high school football.
