Jason Lewis Powers North Torrance to 48-14 Victory Over South

UPDATE: In a stunning display of athleticism, Jason Lewis scored three touchdowns to lead North Torrance to a decisive 48-14 victory over South Torrance on October 20, 2023. This win is pivotal for North as they enhance their season record to 6-3.

Earlier this week, North Torrance’s head coach Todd Croce emphasized the need for his running backs to rise to the occasion without injured starter Jaydan Andrade. Lewis and teammate Steven Sarabia responded with commanding performances, propelling the team to a crucial win in the Pioneer League.

“We had a rough first half, but then we came out in the second half after a good speech by my boy, Luca (Galdamez),” Lewis said. “He just told us we need to lock in. No more playing around – we need to stay on our blocks and we need to push for our running backs.” This motivation proved effective as the team surged in the second half.

The game shifted momentum when North Torrance’s rushing attack, spearheaded by Sarabia, pushed through the Spartan defense. The Saxons scored on their first drive of the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 27-14 with a 1-yard touchdown from Sarabia, followed by a successful extra point from John Roa.

Just minutes later, Lewis ran in another touchdown from the 1-yard line, adding to his impressive tally. With 8:53 left in the game, he broke free for a 17-yard rushing touchdown, extending the lead and securing North’s dominance.

“It was nice to see the second half offense come out and score on all possessions,” Coach Croce remarked after the game, highlighting the team’s improvement.

In addition to his rushing prowess, North’s Ethan Edwards made a significant impact by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kchole Mataele-Juarez and intercepting two passes from South’s quarterback Chase Spahr. “I just knew I had to put the team on my back,” Edwards stated. “They (Lewis and Sarabia) stepped up and executed.”

Roa also contributed with successful field goals from 31 and 20 yards, further solidifying North’s lead.

On the other side, South Torrance, now at 3-6, faced challenges due to their limited roster of just 33 players. Coach Matt Mishler acknowledged the fatigue that set in during the second half, stating, “We didn’t really have much life in the second half. Our guys still played to the finish, but a lot of fatigue settled in.”

Despite the loss, Spahr, who leads the Pioneer League in passing, managed to score an 8-yard touchdown run and connect with Jacob Kerekes for a 21-yard touchdown pass. “Their D-line was pretty active, they had a lot of stunts going,” Spahr noted, reflecting on the tough competition.

This emphatic win marks a crucial turning point for North Torrance as they prepare for upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and resilience without their key player.

Stay tuned for more updates as the teams continue to battle in the Pioneer League.