Poway Preps for Playoffs with 35-2 Rout of Broncos

Undefeated Poway High School stormed into the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs Thursday night with a convincing 35-2 whipping of host Rancho Bernardo.

An estimated 5,000 fans watched as Poway flexed its muscles on defense to finish the regular season 9-0-1 overall and 4-0 in Palomar League play. Led by 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end Brian Guendling's two sacks, the Titans harried Rancho Bernardo QB Trent Sessions all night, holding the senior signal caller to under 80 yards passing.

Overall, the Poway defense sacked Sessions five times and intercepted two passes. Poway's swarming defense also forced three Rancho Bernardo fumbles.

It was a satisfying performance for Poway coach Damian Gonzalez.

"We were concerned with the passing of Trent Sessions going into the game," Gonzalez said. "We knew Rancho Bernardo threw the ball well and had some great receivers.

"But we have a great defenses, and we were ready."

On offense the Titans were just as dominating. They ground out long drives, and scored on swift strikes.

Poway drew first blood with 38 seconds left in the first quarter following a 16-play, 60-yard march that featured four fourth-down conversions.

Conor Flanagan rumbled 1 yard for the touchdown and Jason Diaz booted the conversion that put the Titans ahead 7-0.

Rancho Bernardo threatened to get back into the game in the second quarter. The Broncos' Andrew Burnett blocked a Diaz punt through end zone for a safety at the 5:18 mark, narrowing the score to 7-2.

RB took the ensuing free kick and drove deep into Poway territory. But the Titans' defense stopped the Broncos drive on fourth down at the Poway 21-yard line.

Poway responded with a three-play, 79-yard drive capped by Nehemiah Gross' 8-yard TD scamper at the 2:25 mark of the second quarter. Diaz's second PAT made the score 14-2.

Poway scored three times in the third quarter to ice the game. Gross pounded 8 yards for his second TD, Flanagan bolted 4 yards to cross the goal line, and QB Gabriel Isaak hurled a 54-yard TD bomb to Derek Babiash for the game's final 6-pointer.

"I feel like we have a chance to go deep into the playoffs," said Isaak. "Our goal is a CIF championship."

After Babiash's TD catch and run, the party started on the Poway sideline. Titans fans, many forced to stand for the entire game because the visitors stands were filled to overflowing, cheered as players doused assistant coaches in Gatorade. With the win, the Titans surely clinched a first-round bye in the Division I playoffs.

The atmosphere was more somber on the Rancho Bernardo sideline, even though the 5-5 Broncos have likely earned a berth in the Division II playoffs. RB finished Palomar League play 2-2.

"We're going to be on the road, probably against a Valhalla or Steele Canyon," said RB coach Tristan McCoy.

"I am proud of our team. They have worked very hard all season."