Photo via Matt Masin/Orange County Register
This edition of #FridayNightRewind, brought to you by Tackle Tube USA, kicks off in California, where USA Today No. 19 Mission Viejo was pushed to the limit by Servite in CIF-SS Division 1 playoff action.
Dan Albano of the Orange County Register reports Mission Viejo’s Braden Russell kicked a 25-yard field goal to give the Diablos a 38-36 lead with 1:32 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Servite (6-5) lined up for a 43-yard field goal to win it on the game's final play:
Mission viejo wins 38-36 v Servite pic.twitter.com/84aWN79k3z
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) November 11, 2017
The miss kept Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson's farewell tour alive. Johnson, the winningest football coach in Orange County history with 344 victories, will retire from coaching at season's end. Next week, Mission Viejo (11-0) will play Orange Lutheran (6-5), an upset winner against Chaminade.
Titles decided in seven states
While some state tournaments are just now getting underway, others are wrapping up. Here's a look at the championships decided on Friday:
Arizona: AIA Conference 1A, Williams 57, Superior 14
Maine: Class E, Boothbay 20, Maranacook 14
North Carolina: NCISAA Division I, Charlotte Christian 47, Providence Day 21
North Dakota: 9-Man, Wyndmere/Lidgerwood 60, Shiloh Christian 26; Division A, Hillsboro/Central Valley 16, Langdon/Edmore/Munich 14; Division AA, St. Mary’s Central 31, Shanley 12; Division AAA, West Fargo 56, Minot 28
Oklahoma: HCAA 2A, Wright Christian 14, Arkansas Christian Academy 6; HCAA 3A, Destiny Christian 60, Life Prep 20
South Dakota: Class 11AA, Riggs 24, Harrisburg 21; Class 11B, Sioux Falls Christian 27, Bridgewater/Emery/Ethan 12; Class 9AA, Gregory 56, Irene/Wakonda 30; Class 9A, Britton-Hecla 44, Corsica/Stickney 36; Class 9B, Colman-Egan 42, Sully Buttes 28
Wyoming: Class 2A, Mountain View 35, Glenrock 28; Class 3A, Cody 20, Torrington 0
RELATED CONTENT: Which states begin high school football tournaments this weekend, and which ones end?
Colorado team dedicates final game to teammate killed on Thursday
Kevin Lytle of The Coloradan reports Poudre (Fort Collins) played its Friday playoff contest against Pomona to honor teammate Josh Cortez, who died along with his mother, Kelly, in an auto accident following a team dinner Thursday night.
The squad met Friday to discuss postponement, but the discussion was brief. Poudre was going to play.
“He loved being out here with us. It sucks that we can’t enjoy this with them. He’s a cheerful, happy guy. But he would have wanted us to play,” teammate Caden Oliver said. “It would have really been a big loss if that happened and then we couldn’t come out and play for him.”
Poudre’s captains took the field with Cortez’s No. 66 jersey, and they received a Pomona No. 66 with “Cortez” on the back. Cortez's friend, Harlan Archuleta, wore his number for the game, which Pomona won, 68-27.
Poudre finished the season 6-5. It was the first Impalas squad to make the Class 5A Sweet 16 since 2008.
“Today was supposed to be a big, happy day,” Poudre quarterback Troy McFadden said. “It ended up not being that way. We just came out here and decided it was for Josh. That’s it.”
Catch of the Year candidate
Sky View (Smithfield, Utah) sophomore wideout Mason Falslev had a reception to remember in his team's Class 4A state semifinal against Orem.
Sky View sophomore Mason Falslev with what might be the catch of the year in Utah high school football @UHSAAinfo @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/R3Wmj2Durq
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) November 11, 2017
Falslev's heroics weren't enough, as Orem notched a 28-12 victory. The Tigers (11-2) will face Mountain Crest (12-1) for the 4A crown next week.