La Jolla Country Day Torreys 35, Horizon Christian Academy Panthers 21

The La Jolla Country Day Torreys made it seven wins in a row, as they overcame the Horizon Panthers in an explosive 35-21 match-up.

Both sides piled up big plays throughout the game, starting with Horizon senior Oscar Cordova laying out for a 39-yard grab on the opening drive. Deandre Daniels punched in a 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead, but Country Day responded with a 10-yard pass from Braxton Burmeister to Casey Mariucci.

Burmeister next went deep to Trevor Rudolph, who reeled in a 39-yard score. And on the first play of their next drive, the junior quarterback went back to Mariucci — this time streaking wide open through the middle of the field for a 70-yard touchdown that put the Torreys up 21-7.

Horizon would not go away, with scores on both sides of the intermission to even the score at 21. Marcus found Artyom Harr in space, and the freshman receiver wiggled his way through the defense for 45 yards. And in the third quarter, Marcus had a 9-yard scamper of his own.

But the Torreys would not let the Panthers over the hump. Burmeister led Country Day immediately back the other way, with Brennan Goring finishing off a 16-yard catch for a 28-21 lead. Ryan Lariccia pushed the margin to 35-21 with an 11-yard run, and then David Brewster sealed the win with an interception to end the Panthers’ final charge.

PREVIEW: This Friday night, the Prep Pigskin Report will be broadcasting live from Helix High, as the La Jolla Country Day Torreys put their six-game win streak on the line against the Horizon Christian Academy Panthers.

If you’ve seen an episode of the PPR in the past few years, chances are good that you’re familiar with the name Braxton Burmeister. The junior quarterback holds the keys to the Torreys’ revved-up offense, which has
scored at least 42 points in each game this season.

Burmeister has thrown just one interception, and has spread his 22 touchdown passes between 7 different receivers. His top 4 receiving targets are all juniors as well: Casey Mariucci (28 rec/492 yds/TDs), David Wylie (22/483/6), Brennan Goring (9/319/3), and Ben Petty-Hull (14/137/2).

Not to look to far ahead, but with the way this group has already torched scoreboards around the county, here’s a scary thought for 2016: Not a single senior has touched the ball for the Torreys on offense this year.

The Country Day defense has posted impressive numbers as well. After the Week 1 loss to La Jolla, the Torreys have surrendered only 7.8 points per game — including shutouts in their last three.

For Horizon, sophomore quarterback Thomas Marcus and senior receiver Oscar Cordova have shown that they can connect for explosive plays down the field. The Panthers will need the duo to stretch the defense if they’re going to keep pace with their Coastal League rivals.