Open Division championship win by Lincoln is Hornets’ second vs. Dons this season
The Hornets proved that on a wet, cold Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium, beating Western League rival Cathedral Catholic 31-13 to win the CIF San Diego Section Open Division title. Saturday’s victory, their second over Cathedral Catholic this season, puts the Hornets into the Southern California Regionals.
Cathedral Catholic finishes 9-3. Lincoln rushed 53 times for 359 yards, with Aden Jackson carrying 24 times for 141 yards. Junior Curtis had 18 carries for 147 yards. And quarterback Akili Smith Jr. rushed 10 times for 69 yards, continually escaping the grasp of Cathedral Catholic rushers to pick up positive yardage. Smith completed 8 of 12 passes for 74 yards and was intercepted twice — once by Honor Fa’alave-Johnson and once by Josh Faraimo. “We played with a lot of confidence and a lot of effort,” said Curtis. “The offensive line did its job and I did mine. And our defense was amazing all night.” Lincoln’s Junior Curtis runs the ball against Cathedral Catholic during the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Of Cathedral Catholic’s 118 yards, 45 came on one play. “We put that thing on them,” said Lincoln offensive/defensive lineman Journey Tala. “The good fight, the great fight.” Dons quarterback Brady Palmer was under pressure the entire game. He was sacked four times, including once by Donald Reed in the game’s dying seconds. “We showed dominance on both sides of the ball,” said Lincoln coach David Dunn. “And we showed great perseverance as a team.” Lincoln’s Junior Curtis runs the ball against Cathedral Catholic during the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in San Diego, CA. After a series of punts to start the game, Lincoln scored first on a 5-yard run by Curtis late in the first quarter. The run capped a six-play, 58-yard drive. Cathedral Catholic drew even early in the second quarter when Palmer found PJ Johnson alone behind the secondary for a 56-yard scoring play.An interception by Keontae McClay set Lincoln up at the Cathedral Catholic 24. Five plays later, Aden Jackson scored on a 2-yard run. After a Cathedral Catholic punt, Lincoln got a 24-yard field goal by Felix Benavidez to make it 17-7. The Dons looked like they might get back in the game when Jonothan Solomon burst up the middle and rambled from the Cathedral Catholic 25 to the Lincoln 30. But Isaac Turner punched the ball free, Abdulahi Sharif recovered and returned the ball to the Cathedral 27. “I saw him break through the middle and I just pursued,” said Turner. “It’s just never giving up until the play is over.” Lincoln’s Isaac Turner gestures towards the Cathedral Catholic sideline after Cathedral Catholic’s Honor Faalave-Johnson couldn’t catch the pass during the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Turner is the same player who punched the ball out in overtime in last week’s semifinal win over Mission Hills. On the next play, Smith found Isaiah Grant in the end zone behind the defense for a back-breaking score. “We had some chances early, but one dropped ball and a punchout from behind cost us a couple of touchdowns,” said Cathedral Catholic coach Sean Doyle.“It’s the little things that make the difference between winning and losing in a championship game.”Lincoln 7 10 7 7 — 31Jackson 2 run
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