Peninsula’s Late Field Goal Sinks Esperanza

Coach Gary Meek of Esperanza wasn’t offering any excuses, though there were plenty available after his Aztecs lost to Palos Verdes Peninsula, 10-7, on a last-minute field goal Friday afternoon at Peninsula High.

He didn’t hide behind the weather--a chilly fog and a brisk whipping wind more reminiscent of the San Francisco Bay than the South Bay.

Nor did he want to talk about the injuries to two key running backs that plagued the Esperanza ground attack.

After Eric Meissner’s 40-yard, game-winning field goal sailed through the thick fog and squeaked over the crossbar, Meek could only voice displeasure in his team’s execution.

“We just didn’t play well,” Meek said. “I guess it’s back to the drawing board on offense.”

The most glaring example of the failure to execute came with 4 minutes 54 seconds to play. With the score tied, 7-7, and Esperanza facing a fourth and four at the Panther 38-yard line, running back Grant Warren was stopped a yard short and Peninsula took over on downs.

The Panthers (3-0) then drove 56 yards to set up Meissner’s game-winner.

“We’ve got to convert that fourth down to get into field-goal range,” said a displeased Meek. “We have got to win games like this if we are going to be a champion.”

Meek figured he needed about 10 more yards to get in range for kicker Benny Mastropaolo, who missed earlier from 47 yards.

The Aztecs (1-2) played without running back Matt Parrish, who missed his second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain.

The Esperanza ground attack gained only 53 yards, led by Louie Mares, who had 34 yards in 11 carries. Quarterback Greg Farrell completed nine of 15 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Peninsula, which had only 71 yards in the first half, took control after the intermission, driving 68 yards in seven plays for a tying touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter.

A key to the drive was lineman Brent Pollock, a UCLA-bound guard who did not play the first half because of a bad ankle.

Peninsula ran seven times for 69 yards on the drive, six went through holes opened by the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Pollock.

Esperanza’s defense made its statement early, not giving up a first down until Chris Beal ran for nine yards with 8:17 left in the half.

Meek showed faith in his defense, opting to punt on fourth and one on the Aztecs’ first drive at the Peninsula 38-yard line. The defense responded, forcing a Panther punt after three plays.

Farrell then completed three of four passes for 58 yards on the next Esperanza drive, capped by a flanker screen play to George Solomos that went for a 43-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.