This game absolutely lived up to its billing.
When we previewed this game last week, we noted that St. Francis boasts a physically imposing group of athletes, while Torrey Pines thrives on a tactical game that can frustrate opponents into submission.
We saw both of those elements in this match.
The first half featured huge momentum swings that saw each team assert their dominance for extended periods of time.
St. Francis struck first, spinning it wide to flyhalf Kingston Keannaina, who grounded the ball in the corner. Minutes later, center Loa Tuiilea plucked a low kick from the air and took off—70 meters, untouched—for another score. Just like that, St. Francis led 12-0.
But then Torrey Pines found their rhythm. Scrumhalf James Curtis recycled the ball at breakneck speed, firing passes from the breakdown. Will Schreck carried the ball like a maniac—breaking the line on multiple occasions. Their structured attack led to two tries, including a brilliant kick from Rees Curtis that Finn Johnson gathered and took to the house. Torrey Pines led 14-12 at halftime, and momentum had shifted.
James Curtis completes a kick.
Credit: Adam Taich
The second half opened with more Torrey Pines momentum, as James Curtis slotted a penalty kick, extending their lead to 17-12.
Then St. Francis went on a tear.
St. Francis’ ball-carriers were relentless, turning every run into a battle of attrition. Torrey Pines tackled well, but St. Francis kept finding ways to keep the play alive—offloading, breaking through, and pushing the pace until gaps opened. These guys seemed to defy gravity and physics, as they probed the Torrey defense from every angle.
And they ran it from everywhere.
Opportunity to kick for points? Nope. Run it.
Kick for touch and set up a lineout? Not happening. Run it again.
There were stretches of the game when it looked like Torrey Pines was stuck in a never-ending tackling drill—absorbing wave after wave of incredible St. Francis ball carriers.
Credit: Adam Taich
The turning point came in a five-minute stretch. Trailing 17-12, St. Francis landed back-to-back blows—Motu Keannaina crashing over after grabbing a perfectly weighted pop-kick in the 22, then 8-man Mone Pifileti scoring almost straight off the kickoff. Just like that, they led 26-17 with 15 minutes to go.
Torrey Pines played an excellent game—especially on defense—but their kicking game sputtered at key moments. St. Francis applied relentless pressure, blocking several kicks and keeping Torrey from controlling territory—taking away a weapon that had served them well all season.
But the Torrey Pines boys did make some magic happen—a textbook lineout led to Will Schreck barreling through for a score a few phases later. This shortened the gap to 26-24 and gave Torrey Pines a golden opportunity to take the lead.
But then, in the waning minutes, St. Francis delivered the final blow.
Kingston Keannaina broke the line at full speed, tearing through defenders. He was tackled just short of the try line—but the hit was high, earning Torrey Pines a yellow card. The ensuing penalty tap resulted in another score by Motu Keannaina, his second of the day. This gave St. Francis a 33-24 lead with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Torrey Pines—playing with 14 men—valiantly gathered their strength for one final push, making it all the way down to St. Francis’ 5-meter line.
But an infraction gave the ball back to St. Francis.
And the clock had spoken.
A St. Francis scrum—a boot into touch—and the St. Francis boys clinched their first California State Title in a remarkable game.
Final Score: St. Francis 33 — 24 Torrey Pines
Lads and lassies, I present to you the California State Champs: St. Francis 🏆
Congratulations!
St. Francis, California State Title Champions 🏆
Credit: Griff Lacey
St. Francis Scorers:
Motu Keannaina: 2
Loa Tuiilea: 1
Kingston Keannaina: 1
Mone Pifeleti: 1
4 conversions from Hunter Gossett.
Torrey Pines Scorers:
Bryson Waterhouse: 1
Finn Johnson: 1
Will Schreck: 1
Conversions and penalt kick: James Curtis
Coaches’ Quotes:
“This team is a pleasure to coach and all the credit goes to them. I also want to call out the amazing support we receive from the athletic and executive offices at St Francis.
We’re obviously delighted with the victory & winning state. We knew Torrey Pines would be a difficult opponent, but we were confident going into the game. Happy with how our defense played & while we missed several scoring chances, we stuck to our pattern in attack.”
“It was really good game, and St. Francis is a very good team. They took away what we do well better than we took away what they do well. But I am so proud of my boys for the way they played today and the season that they put together.”