\n\t <\/span>It was close – too close, at least – for comfort.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tWith nine seconds left to play, the Cypress High struck for the game-winning touchdown, completing its rally in the fourth quarter against Pacifica High at Bolsa Grande High.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\t <\/span>It was close – too close, at least – for comfort.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tWith nine seconds left to play, the Cypress High struck for the game-winning touchdown, completing its rally in the fourth quarter against Pacifica High at Bolsa Grande High.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tQuarterback Nick Buras took the snap and made the throw, connecting with running back Joe Chavez for a 1-yard pass to score on fourth down. Their effort awarded the Centurions a 32-31 victory in Empire League action.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNeither Cypress nor Pacifica will win the league crown this year, especially with Yorba Linda still in possession of a perfect record – both overall and in league – this year.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tThe Centurions (5-2, 2-2) kept their playoff dreams alive – at least for another week – by snapping a two-game losing skid.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCypress High’s Quentin Pounds, who played outstanding both ways, delivered a remarkable performance – perhaps his best from this season.  <\/span>He used practically every part of his body to score touchdowns, rushing for one, throwing for another and catching two more.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPounds finished with an interception. He did not return it for a pick six, but this defensive gem setup a touchdown drive.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPounds ended with six catches for 134 yards as well as 18 touches for 77 yards. He caught the first touchdown pass of the game, which Buras threw for a 24-yarder in the first quarter.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tBuras completed 8 of 15 for 153 yards.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tThe Mariners (2-7, 1-4) dropped a third consecutive game and stumbled deeper into the cellar of the league standings. Quarterback Nick Howard made 14 of 27 passes for 205 yards.  <\/span>He also scored three touchdowns: two from the ground and one from the air. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPacifica’s Trever Brown, who tallied 88 rushing yards, notched a 10-yard touchdown and tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter. Howard then ran a 3-yard score to take a 14-7 lead. Unfinished, Howard continued to attack, but from the air, and struck receiver Shawn Lothman with a 20-yard pass to bounce the score to 21-7 at the half.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPounds responded again. This time he scored a 4-yard run, but the Mariners also answered as Howard added an 8-yard rushing score as well. Howard wrapped the day with 14 rushes for 37 yards while completing 14 or 27 attempts for 205 yards <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCypress High trailed 28-20 at the end of the third quarter, but it still refused to quit – on both sides of the ball. Yes, the Centurions defense actually kept the Mariners off the scoreboard.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPounds completed a 27-yard pass to receiver Bobby Brito for a touchdown. Pounds then scored again. This time Buras flung a 41-yard pass to Pounds for a 1-yard touchdown on fourth and 10 for six points.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tThe Centurions eventually trimmed the deficit to 28-26 in the fourth. Buras threw a passing score to Pounds, but he missed a throw during the ensuing 2-point conversion. Pacifica’s Jacob Aldana then kicked a 33-yard field goal, which bumped the score to 31-26 with 8:18 remaining in regulation.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tThat’s when the Centurions strung together their best drive of the contest and season. During the final scoring drive Pounds made a pair of monster catches – the most important, and spectacular, of the game. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tThe Centurions also clicked as an offensive unit, using 11 plays to compile a 62-yard scoring drive that lasted four minutes and ended with Buras passing to Chavez in the paint. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCypress returns to action against Valencia High for an Empire League matchup scheduled for Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31.) at Western High in Anaheim. That contest starts at 7 p.m.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPacifica will face Yorba Linda, which remains undefeated this year, on Nov. 2 at Bolsa Grande High in Garden Grove. That contest starts at 7 p.m.<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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