UPDATE: In a stunning display of athleticism, Jason Lewis scored three touchdowns to lead North Torrance to a commanding 48-14 victory over South Torrance on October 20, 2023. This victory marks a significant moment for North Torrance’s football team as they rebound from the loss of their injured star, Jaydan Andrade.
Earlier this week, Coach Todd Croce emphasized the need for his running backs to step up. Lewis and teammate Steven Sarabia did just that, propelling North Torrance to a decisive win in a critical Pioneer League matchup.
After a challenging first half, Lewis reflected on the game, stating, “We had a rough first half, but then we came out in the second half after a good speech by my boy, Luca (Galdamez). That motivated us and kept us going.” This motivational push ignited the Saxons’ offense, which scored on every possession in the second half.
North Torrance’s offensive surge began with a powerful drive led by Sarabia, who scored from the 1-yard line, narrowing the score to 27-14. From there, Lewis continued to dominate, scoring on a 1-yard run and then again on a 17-yard rush to seal the victory with 8:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.
In addition to Lewis’s impressive performance, North’s quarterback Ethan Edwards contributed significantly by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kchole Mataele-Juarez and intercepting two passes, showcasing his versatility on both offense and defense.
Edwards remarked, “I just knew I had to put the team on my back. We missed out on Jaydan a lot but they (Lewis and Sarabia) for sure stepped up. They executed what they had to do to get us to go.”
Defensively, North Torrance showcased their strength as well, with Edwards leading the charge against South’s passing leader, quarterback Chase Spahr, who managed to score on an 8-yard run and connect on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Kerekes. However, Spahr acknowledged the challenges posed by North’s dynamic defense, stating, “Their d-line was pretty active, they had a lot of stunts going.”
South Torrance, now 3-6 this season, struggled with fatigue as they fielded a team of just 33 players. Coach Matt Mishler noted, “We didn’t really have much life in the second half… I think a lot of fatigue settled in.” Despite their challenges, South’s players fought hard until the final whistle.
With this victory, North Torrance improves to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in league play. The team’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity has set a positive tone for the remainder of the season. Fans can expect to see how this momentum carries forward in their upcoming games.
This thrilling matchup not only highlights the resilience of North Torrance but also sets the stage for an exciting finish to the football season. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds!
