Reviewing the season

Both won section titles this season — the Scots captured the Central Coast Section Division I crown, while the Gryphons were the Division V North Coast Section champs. If I had to pick between the two, Carlmont probably gets the edge just because the Scots accomplished something I'm guessing very few people thought was possible. The Scots definitely possessed the talent, but they were young — the Scots started three sophomores this season. The best thing they had going for them this year was first-year varsity coach Irene Oliveira. Although it was her first year at the varsity level, Oliveira had been with the program for several years, coaching the frosh-soph team and serving as a varsity assistant. She had been with the girls for the last four years and knew what kind of talent the team had. Her biggest concern was the up-and-down nature of a young team. But the Scots came together at the right time and defeated San Benito in the CCS finals.

The Gryphons, despite playing in relative obscurity, had one of the strongest teams on the Peninsula. Led by hitters Chelsea Kubal and Jessie Hartman, along with setter Emily Avis, the Gryphons stormed through the regular season with a 29-6 record. Two of their losses came to University and Convent of the Sacred Heart during the regular season, but they avenged those losses in the Bay Counties League — West playoffs.

Games of the Year: Carlmont versus San Benito, CCS championship volleyball match; Little Big Game.

The third-seeded Scots faced the top-seeded Hay Balers in a classic championship match. After splitting the first four games, the Scots found themselves trailing 11-8 in Game 5 in a race to 15. Carlmont won the next four points and eventually led 14-13 before the Balers forced the volleyball equivalent of overtime. Five times, the Scots faced match point only to have the Balers stave off elimination.

The Scots finally won their volleyball championship since 1975 in dramatic fashion — a Justine Record ace.

The annual Little Big Game had the makings of a blowout in the first half as Burlingame took a 24-0 lead at halftime.

San Mateo responded with 21 points in the fourth quarter and were driving for the win when Burlingame's Vince Riggio made a diving interception in the end zone to preserve the Panthers' victory.

Player I'd Pay to Watch: Matangi Tonga, Aragon football. You're going to have to pay to see him play for at least the next four years as he chooses between scholarship offers from BYU and USC.

No one in recent memory dominated the way Tonga did — on both sides of the ball. As a fullback, he was probably the most feared runner in the Peninsula Athletic League. Sure, there were others that had the potential to break off a huge run, but no one possesses the speed and power of the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Tonga. There were games when tacklers were just plain scared of sticking their heads in the way of his piston-like knees and legs. He gained 837 yards on just 105 carries and scored 20 touchdowns.

As good as he was on offense, his future probably lies on defense. As a defensive lineman for the Dons, he was unblockable and unstoppable at times. Not only was he capable of blowing through the offensive line to sack the quarterback or drop a runner in the backfield, he has the ability to chase down runners from one side of the field to the other.

Best coach's response to a fan in the stands: During the San Mateo-Aragon football game, a San Mateo fan was shouting out tips and encouragement to the Bearcats' players, while at the same time, questioning Mike Parodi's coaching decisions.

At one point, the fan yelled out, "Where are the linebackers?"

"That's a good question," Parodi said.

Biggest Homer Simpson "Doh!" moment: After making the hike from the El Camino High parking lot up the hill to the football field minutes before the start of the Hillsdale-El Camino football game, an out-of-breath Lounge approached an El Camino assistant coach.

"Looks like you're a man that needs a roster," the coach said.

When the Lounge said I was more interested in a tram from the parking lot and some oxygen, the coach asked why I didn't park in the upper at the north end of the field?

Uh, I didn't know there was one? Besides, I needed the exercise.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.