San Marcos football had its season come to an end with a 42-17 loss to South Pasadena in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 11 playoffs on Friday in Pasadena.
The Royals, who have now made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, round out the year with an overall record of 4-7. South Pasadena will take on Palmdale next Friday in the Quarterfinals.
South Pasadena came out of the gates on fire, scoring a pair of unanswered touchdowns in the opening quarter to take a 14-0 lead into the second.
The Tigers stayed hot early in the second quarter, scoring on a swing pass to bring it to 21-0 with 10 minutes on the clock.
The San Marcos offense then found its groove on the ensuing drive, getting down the field on a 41-yard catch and run to Brody Green before Cole Dominguez punched in the score to make it 21-7 with 5:48 left in the half.
South Pasadena immediately responded with an 80-yard rushing touchdown to put the pressure right back on the Royals.
San Marcos answered just before halftime, getting a chunk play on a 45-yard pass from Hayden Feleay to Liam Milligan. One play later, Feleay found Green for a 14-yard touchdown pass and cut the deficit to 28-14 heading into halftime.
The Royals came out of the break with a solid drive, marching into South Pasadena territory before Austin Downing drilled a 28-yard field goal to inch closer at 28-17 with 8:06 to go in the third.
However, South Pasadena went on to dominate the rest of the game behind a strong offensive line and a potent rushing attack.
The Tigers rattled off 14 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes of play, controlling the clock and limiting the San Marcos offense en route to the win.