Cate football clinched a spot in the CIF-SS Div. 1 8-Person semifinals with a 33-25 win over Flintridge Prep on Friday.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Rams broke the tie in the second with a touchdown. However, the Wolves answered back with a score of their own but missed the extra point to remain behind at 7-6.
Cate punched right back when Quinn Pullen hit Kristian Scurtis for a 7-yard touchdown on a swing pass. The 14-6 Rams lead held into halftime.
The third quarter was all Flintridge Prep, as the Wolves scored a touchdown, converted a field goal and came away with a safety to take a 17-14 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Cate offense then took over, led by the connection of Pullen and Tyler Martinez. The duo linked up two times in the fourth quarter for big plays, one a 55-yard touchdown and the other 74 yards.
The Rams defense got in on the fun as Henry Bouma recovered a fumble on the goal line and Scurtis came away with an interception. They also shut down the Flintridge Prep offense late to clinch the victory.
“What a game,” Cate coach David Soto said. “This was a full team effort for all four quarters. We are so proud of the heart and effort of these guys.
“We’re excited to be one of four teams left in our division.”
In the semifinals, the Rams will take on Valley Christian next week.
