2007 Football Southern Division Champion

2007 Football Southern Division CIF Champions

A Historic Triumph: Cypress Centurions Claim First CIF Championship

The 2007 CIF Southern Division championship game between the Cypress Centurions and the Pacifica Mariners was a classic high school football showdown that will be remembered for years to come. The game went down to the wire, with the Centurions ultimately prevailing in a thrilling 36-30 victory.

The final 51 seconds of the game were a rollercoaster of emotions. Pacifica had driven the ball down to the Cypress 1-yard line, poised to take the lead. However, the Centurions' defense rose to the occasion, stopping the Mariners on four consecutive plays. The crowd erupted in cheers as Cypress secured the victory, sending their fans into a frenzy.

The Cypress offense, led by the dynamic Ryan Saumur, who was later named the CIF Offensive Player of the Year, also played a key role in the victory. Saumur's ability to make plays with his legs and his arm was a constant threat to the Pacifica defense.

The championship win was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the Cypress Centurions. Coach Ray Fenton, a Cypress High School alumnus, was named the OC Register County Coach of the Year, the CIF Southern Division Coach of the Year and a California State Coach of the Year for his outstanding leadership.

This historic victory marked the first CIF championship for the Cypress Centurions, a moment that will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the Cypress community. The dramatic finish, the incredible goal-line stand, and the unwavering spirit of the Centurions made this game a true classic that will be remembered for years to come.

Cypress gets off the mat with help of its defense

Dec. 7, 2007 11:35 PM PT

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In the first half of the Southern Division final Friday night at Cerritos College, Pacifica looked unstoppable. The only way they could be stopped was if they stopped themselves, which they did when they fumbled on their own side of the 50. That turnover lead to a touchdown by Cypress.

Other than that turnover, Pacifica quarterback Raymond Huizar was picking apart the Cypress defense. That’s until near the end the of the first half, when a sack forced the Mariners to punt the ball. At first it just seemed like just another sack by Cody Williams, but for Cypress Coach Ray Fenton, it was much more.

‘We got a little spark,’ he said of the play. ‘It was like the ‘Rocky’ movie, where he punched the Russian in the eye and he bled. ‘He’s not a machine!’ ... It gave us a little bit of hope.’

Just like Rocky Balboa carried that momentum change to a KO of Ivan Drago in the 15th round, Cypress carried that spark into the second half and rallied for a 36-30 victory.

In the second half, the Centurions got to Huizar with more consistency. Late in the game, Spencer Whilhelm‘s stripped Huizar of the ball, resulting in an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Ryan Saumur to put Cypress ahead for the first time, by the game’s final score.

Report abuse