The Palos Verdes football team is set to compete in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 championship game for the second consecutive year. After a challenging season, the Sea Kings (10-3) will host the undefeated Pacifica Tritons (13-0) on December 1, 2023, at 19:00 local time.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, head coach Guy Gardner noted the importance of growth and resilience. “I think journey is a good word for it. Every team is different. This is a different group than last year,” he remarked. Despite facing setbacks, including injuries and tough early losses, the Sea Kings have managed to forge a strong team dynamic.
The path to the championship has not been without its hurdles. A significant challenge arose last week when junior quarterback Ryan Rakowski, who accounted for 32 touchdowns this season, suffered a thumb injury during the semifinal match against Edison. At a championship luncheon, Rakowski was seen wearing a cast on his right hand, leaving the team to rely on backup Giorgio DiMascio, who has started only one game this season.
Palos Verdes began the season with a loss against Serra and endured a narrow one-point defeat to Edison shortly thereafter. The team also faced a setback in a Bay League game against Leuzinger, losing 40-14. However, after a pivotal game against Inglewood, Gardner observed a shift in team cohesion. “I think our guys really took the right direction, just being more cohesive. It’s been fun to watch them mature as a team,” he said.
As they prepare to face Pacifica, the Sea Kings’ defense has shown marked improvement after allowing 40 points against Leuzinger. In their playoff opener against Valencia, they conceded 34 points but tightened their defense significantly thereafter. Key contributors include Weston Reis with 94 tackles, Jalen Flowers with four interceptions, and Nick Yakubik with three interceptions. The return of lineman Dabe Nwude, who was sidelined last season due to injury, has also bolstered the team’s performance.
Gardner emphasized the importance of a collective effort against the Tritons, who are averaging an impressive 42.9 points per game. “Big, athletic, they’re 13-0 and you see the reason why. You know you’re playing a good team when you can’t find a weakness on that film,” he stated.
The Sea Kings are vying to become the first South Bay school to win consecutive CIF-SS championships since Serra achieved the feat in 2009-2010. No public school from the South Bay has managed back-to-back titles since Redondo Union in 1943-1944. “There’s nothing easy about this,” Gardner said, acknowledging the challenges his team has faced throughout the season. “You just can’t really look far ahead. You got goals and things, but you keep those things behind and kind of, like I always say, keep it back here and let it motivate you.”
As the championship game approaches, the Sea Kings are determined to harness their past experiences to secure victory against Pacifica. Their ability to adapt and grow as a team will be crucial in their quest for a second consecutive title.