Simi Valley gives up 47 points in the first half, but pulls within striking distance in the fourth quarter before losing in the Southern California regional final in Visalia.
Despite an impressive showing from its offense, the Simi Valley football team’s state title hopes were dashed on Saturday, as the Pioneers fell 55-38 to Central Valley Christian in the CIF Southern California Regional Division 2-A championship game in Visalia.
Simi Valley trailed 41-17 at one point in the first half as Central Valley Christian (14-1) raced out to a big lead with a seemingly unstoppable offense that was led by standout running back Bryson Donelson, who scored five touchdowns.
Donelson returned the game’s opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown before tacking on three first-half rushing scores, including one that went 76 yards. He gained over 250 all-purpose yards prior to halftime.
CVC advances to next week’s CIF State championship game and will face Los Gatos on Dec. 8 or 9.
Simi Valley finishes the season with a 9-5 record and won its first CIF Southern Section football title. The Pioneers topped Mira Costa 44-38 in overtime in the Division 6 championship game on Nov. 25.
Pioneers running back Brice Hawkins scored three times Saturday. The dynamic junior finished the season with over 2,400 total yards from scrimmage and led Simi Valley in catches while finding the end zone 27 times this year.
In the first half, Simi Valley scored on a 9-yard pass from Jesse Serreno to Eddie Santiago, a 32-yard field goal from kicker Jack Reed, and Serreno threw a second half 14-yard touchdown to Dominic Demaio.
CVC led 47-24 at the break.
A strong effort by its defense in the third quarter allowed Simi Valley to close the gap. After forcing punts on CVC’s first two possessions of the quarter, the Pioneers stopped Central Valley from adding to its lead when Santiago picked off a would-be touchdown in the final minute of the third.
Hawkins’ third score of the day came on the ensuing possession when he took a screen pass into the end zone with 11:21 remaining, cutting the Pioneers’ deficit to 47-38.
Donelson put the game away for Central Valley when he ripped off a 29-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth.
The Fresno State commit pushed his state-leading touchdown total this season to a whopping 55 – 46 of which have come on the ground.
