Bears finish Dons

Playoff win puts M-A one win from Large School title

By John Reid / Daily News Staff Writer

From the moment Menlo-Atherton's Matt Hornberger recovered the opening kickoff on a rolling pooch kick, one could sense Friday night's Central Coast Section Large School Division semifinal with No. 4 Aragon at Foothill College was going to be a wild one.

It was and then some. No. 1 Menlo-Atherton took advantage of Dons miscues to roll to a 41-28 triumph in front of 3,500 very chilly, but thoroughly entertained, spectators. The Bears (11-1) earned a berth in next week's championship game vs. either No. 3 Palo Alto or No. 2 North Salinas, who play tonight at Foothill College at 7.

The Dons (9-3) and Bears combined for 10 turnovers, including Aragon's Alex Sortwell recovering an onside kick to begin the second half. Dons running back Seta Pohahau, who rushed for 123 yards on 15 carries, went over right guard for 19 yards. Three plays later, quarterback Alex Miller snuck in from 1 yard out. Miller threw to Pohahau for the two-point conversion and Aragon was down just 34-28 with most of the third period to play.

The Bears countered with hard running from Willie Latu, who had 134 yards on 21 carries, and Jamal Wilkins, who had 88 yards on 11 attempts.

Menlo-Atherton played without two-way linemen Raymond Vainikolo, who is done for the year with an ACL injury, and Malakai Mataele, who walked the sideline with a cast on his left ankle. Mataele is hopeful to play in the title game.

Aragon 14 6 8 0 - 28

Menlo-Atherton 14 20 0 7 - 41

First Quarter

M-A-Disibio 24 pass from McCabe (Stanske kick) 10:54

A-Miller 1 run (kick failed) 7:12

M-A-Knapp 43 pass from Mosher (Stanske kick) 4:48

A-Pohahau 62 pass from Miller (Slack run) 4:28

Second Quarter

M-A-Disibio 36 pass from McCabe (Stanske kick) 11:25

A-Pohahau 46 pass from Miller (kick failed) 10:47

M-A-Wilkins 1 run (kick failed) 7:32

M-A-Disibio 28 pass from McCabe (Stanske kick) :59

Third Quarter

A-Miller 1 run (Pohahau pass from Miller) 10:21

Fourth Quarter-

M-A-Bustos 1 run (Stanske kick) 5:07

RUSHING-Aragon, Pohahau 15-123, Slack 9-51, Miller 7-(-5), Pulotu 4-33. Menlo-Atherton, Latu 21-134, McCabe 6-(-13), Wilkins 11-88, Bustos 6-6.

PASSING-Aragon, Miller 9-18-1-218. Menlo-Atherton, McCabe 9-16-2-199, Mosher 2-2-0-66. Totals 11-18-2-265.

RECEIVING-Aragon, Pohahau 3-112, Fale 4-84, Slack 2-21. Menlo-Atherton, Knapp 5-113, Disibio 4-87, Mosher 2-55.