PHOTOS: Big second half rally lifts Segerstrom past Paramount in Division 8 playoff opener

Segerstrom’s Ayden Morales heads for the end zone and scores against Paramount Friday night. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman).

Friday’s CIF Division 8 playoff football game between Segerstrom and Paramount turned out to be a tale of two halves.

Seemingly being outmuscled and shutout at halftime, Segerstrom forced four turnovers and scored 25 unanswered points in the second half to the delight of their hometown fans and went on to record a dramatic come-from-behind 25-12 victory.

No-2 seeded Segerstrom (8-3) advances to the quarterfinals and will play St. Pius/St. Matthias (2-9) next Friday at Segerstrom.

“At halftime, we told our players that we have to finish assignments and execute,” said Jaguars Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “We cleaned it up in the second half. We made some adjustments, and we scored on two trap plays. I am so proud of these guys. This was a team win. Everyone came out with great energy in the second half, and we changed the tide of the game.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

In the opening half, Paramount, the champion of the Mid Cities League and riding a six-game winning streak, was dominating in the trenches and built a 12-0 lead.

About the only thing Paramount did wrong in the first half was not to take advantage of a botched Jaguars punt late in the half that gave the Pirates a first down at the Segerstrom 8-yard line. The Jaguars defense held and avoided going down by three scores. 

After both teams exchanged interceptions early in the third quarter, Segerstrom, sparked by the running of Ayden Morales, went on a nine-play, 63-yard scoring drive. Morales had runs of 24 and 17 yards to ignite the Jaguars offense.

Segerstrom’s quarterback Jesse Lopez, who returned this week after suffering a dislocated shoulder, completed a 12-yard TD pass to Andrew Diaz in the corner of the end zone on a fourth down pass to cap the drive and get Segerstrom on the scoreboard. Lopez then ran in the 2-point conversion to trim the lead to 12-8 with 3:45 left in the quarter.

However, Lopez reinjured his shoulder on the 2-point conversion run and left the game and did not return.  Sophomore Noah Martinez took over for Morales at quarterback the rest of the way.

“I hurt my left shoulder on the 2-point conversion run and had to leave the game,” said Lopez. “I still hope to play next week.”

Early in the fourth quarter, the Pirates fate started to unravel. 

On a fourth down play near midfield, Paramount lined up to punt.

However, the punter took off running and appeared to have a first down, but Segerstrom special teamer Cristian Ramos laid a jarring tackle on the punter causing a fumble. Julian Hernandez jumped on the loose ball for Segerstrom, and the Jaguars were in business again at the Pirates 45-yard line.

“That definitely turned the tide of the game,” said Tagaloa.

“I was surprised when their punter took off running; it’s such a big risk,” said Hernandez. “But Cristian put that big hit on him, I saw the loose ball and jumped on it.”

Three plays later, Morales blasted off tackle and raced into the end zone from 45 yards, giving Segerstrom a 15-12 lead with 9:54 to play.

“That play did give us momentum, but we never got down on ourselves; we kept our heads up the whole game,” said Morales. 

Three plays following a Paramount three-and-out, Nicholas Cervantes took a reverse and darted 38 yards for a touchdown, upping the Jaguars lead to 21-12 with 6:43 left.

“I couldn’t have done that without all 10 guys blocking and executing, especially Gabriel Vergara’s block downfield,” said Cervantes. “This win gives us momentum but we’re still hungry. We can’t stop now.”

Senior Juan Nunez recovered a Pirates fumble on the ensuing kickoff which led to a Diego Hernandez 39-yard field goal that increased Segerstrom’s lead to 25-12. Paramount got one more possession, but Ramos picked off a Pirates pass. The Jaguars then ran out the clock and secured the victory.

“It was a battle, but I got the ball, and it gave us momentum,” said Nunez. 

Morales rushed for 87 yards on five carries and Noah Tagaloa added 60 yards on the ground for Segerstrom.

Tyler Goodman led Paramount with 110 yards rushing and a touchdown.

NOTES:

––Friday was the first time the two teams have ever met on the football field.

—Segerstrom coach Joseph Tagaloa: “We have multiple guys who can make big plays. I like our communication and our growth on all levels, offense, defense, and special teams. Sometimes the score doesn’t tell the whole story, but our guys are locked in and ready to go.”

—After being limited to 59 yards of offense in the first half, Segerstrom finished with 268 yards.

—Paramount, which averaged scoring 34 points per game and won all nine of its games by double digits, was held to its second lowest point total of the season.

(Story was updated Saturday night).