High Energy FInish Paves Way for Cal
Justin Locklear's bruising efforts guided the Grizzlies to a second half comeback. Photo by Cliff Jackson
By Chris Jackson Saturday November 22, 2014
SAN RAMON, CA-Every bit of energy Cal had, they used.
The Cal Grizzlies fought their way back in the second half and escaped in thrilling fashion over the visiting
Liberty Lions, 35-24, and advanced to the NCS Division 1 semifinals.
Dual-threat quarterback Joseph Tolentino connected with Willie Williams for a touchdown to put Liberty up 24-14
midway through the third quarter. Everything was going the Lions way and they seemed unstoppable.
Cal thought differently.
The Grizzlies scored 21 unanswered points, highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown run from Jacob Woolridge to give
them a 28-24 lead to start the fourth quarter. That was all they needed.
Ryan Groleau intercepted Tolentino a couple drives later and then Simi Hingano capped off the drive with an 8-yard
touchdown run as 2:04 remained. That gave them a 35-24 lead and put the game away.
Groleau's dominant performance also included a receiving touchdown that was helped after a perfect pass from Jacob
Woolridge en route to the 48-yard score.
Hingano rushed for a tough 62 yards and two touchdowns and was impossible to bring down late in the contest. His
brutal physicality and toughness helped spark a furious second half rally.
Junior Justin Locklear attested to Hingano's ferocious second half as he rushed for 108 yards, scrapping and clawing
his way to help put the Grizzlies in the semifinals.
Liberty's season came to a heartbreaking end but capped off a history-making season. The Lions captured their first
ever NCS Playoff victory last week and finished 9-3 under second year head coach Jeff Walters.
Stellar play from do-it-all Willie Williams nearly kept Liberty alive. He totaled 150 yards of offense and lit a spark into a
high-energy crowd for the visiting team.
Cal advanced to the NCS semifinals and will travel to De La Salle on Friday, a team it fell to in the championship last year
and also earlier this season.
The Cal Grizzlies fought their way back in the second half and escaped in thrilling fashion over the visiting
Liberty Lions, 35-24, and advanced to the NCS Division 1 semifinals.
Dual-threat quarterback Joseph Tolentino connected with Willie Williams for a touchdown to put Liberty up 24-14
midway through the third quarter. Everything was going the Lions way and they seemed unstoppable.
Cal thought differently.
The Grizzlies scored 21 unanswered points, highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown run from Jacob Woolridge to give
them a 28-24 lead to start the fourth quarter. That was all they needed.
Ryan Groleau intercepted Tolentino a couple drives later and then Simi Hingano capped off the drive with an 8-yard
touchdown run as 2:04 remained. That gave them a 35-24 lead and put the game away.
Groleau's dominant performance also included a receiving touchdown that was helped after a perfect pass from Jacob
Woolridge en route to the 48-yard score.
Hingano rushed for a tough 62 yards and two touchdowns and was impossible to bring down late in the contest. His
brutal physicality and toughness helped spark a furious second half rally.
Junior Justin Locklear attested to Hingano's ferocious second half as he rushed for 108 yards, scrapping and clawing
his way to help put the Grizzlies in the semifinals.
Liberty's season came to a heartbreaking end but capped off a history-making season. The Lions captured their first
ever NCS Playoff victory last week and finished 9-3 under second year head coach Jeff Walters.
Stellar play from do-it-all Willie Williams nearly kept Liberty alive. He totaled 150 yards of offense and lit a spark into a
high-energy crowd for the visiting team.
Cal advanced to the NCS semifinals and will travel to De La Salle on Friday, a team it fell to in the championship last year
and also earlier this season.