Anticipate an evening of offensive spectacle this Friday in Southern California as two of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks vie for a place in the state championship. Brady Smigiel, a junior committed to Florida State, leads Newbury Park against senior Akili Smith Jr., who has signed with the Oregon Ducks, along with San Diego […]
Anticipate an evening of offensive spectacle this Friday in Southern California as two of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks vie for a place in the state championship.
Brady Smigiel, a junior committed to Florida State, leads Newbury Park against senior Akili Smith Jr., who has signed with the Oregon Ducks, along with San Diego Lincoln on Friday, December 6, during the regional football championships.
CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
This season, Smigiel has amassed 3,314 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, with senior Princeton commit Shane Rosenthal as his primary target. Smith mirrors with 2,039 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Stay tuned below for live updates from the CIF regional bowl clash between Newbury Park and Lincoln, slated to kick off at 8 p.m. PT on Friday, December 6, at Southwestern College.
You can also stream the game live on the NFHS Network (requires subscription).
PREGAME
Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties have started surfacing before the game even kicks off.
Kickoff will be delayed due to these penalties. It is still uncertain which team(s) will be penalized and the extent of the penalties. Here’s a video:
1ST QUARTER
We’re finally on the move. Due to penalties, Lincoln kicks off deep, and Newbury Park takes over at the Hornets’ 35.
TOUCHDOWN NEWBURY PARK! Brady Smigiel connects with Blake Bryce for a 19-yard score, making it 7-0 Panthers with 10:04 remaining. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is called on Newbury Park after the touchdown, to be enforced on the kickoff.
Lincoln begins its first drive at its own 41 but quickly goes three-and-out. Newbury Park takes over on the 19 with 9:17 left.
Newbury Park goes three-and-out as well, allowing Akili Smith Jr. and his team to start at their 43 in search of momentum.
TOUCHDOWN LINCOLN! Akili Smith Jr. delivers a flawless 40-yard pass to an unmarked Isaiah Grant, leveling the score at 7-7 with 6:43 to go.
Smigiel makes a challenging 14-yard run on third and 14, placing Newbury Park at the Lincoln 40 with 2:12 remaining.
FUMBLE! Brady Smigiel is taken down by Niko Ta’a, losing possession; Lincoln recovers it on their own 35.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: Newbury Park 7, San Diego Lincoln 7
2ND QUARTER
Lincoln mishandles its punt, and Newbury Park takes control at its own 45.
Shane Rosenthal secures a 20-yard reception advancing to the 35, but Lincoln’s defense forces a punt, largely due to another sack by Niko Ta’a. 7:53 left, tied 7-7.
A second shanked punt by Lincoln; punter Felix Benavidez is also injured. Newbury Park takes over at the Lincoln 40, 5:26 left.
TOUCHDOWN NEWBURY PARK! Brady Smigiel launches a perfect pass to Drew Cofield for a 40-yard touchdown, extending the score to 14-7 Panthers with 5:18 left. After the PAT, Lincoln receives a personal foul penalty.
Newbury Park attempts an onside kick from the Lincoln 30 but it goes out of bounds, giving the Hornets possession at their own 21.
TOUCHDOWN LINCOLN! Akili Smith Jr. dashes for a 29-yard touchdown, tying the game at 14-14 with 3:39 remaining.
Newbury Park fails to capitalize on a 50-yard kick return by Shane Rosenthal. Lincoln collects its sixth sack, forcing a fourth and 16 at the Hornets’ 36.
Balen Betancourt makes a stop at the 1 yard line after a Newbury Park punt, but he requires assistance to leave the field after colliding with the referee. Two minutes are left in the half.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS! A bold decision by Lincoln, opting for a fourth and 11 from their own 40. The pass is incomplete, enabling Newbury Park to take over at the Lincoln 41 with 53 seconds left.
Shane Rosenthal makes an incredible one-handed catch but suffers a personal foul penalty afterward. Newbury Park now has the ball on the Lincoln 11 with 43 seconds remaining.
TOUCHDOWN NEWBURY PARK! Brady Smigiel rushes for a 2-yard touchdown, making it 21-14 Panthers with 21 seconds before half.
HALFTIME: Newbury Park 21, Lincoln 14
3RD QUARTER
The second half begins post-10 p.m., which may stretch the game into Saturday. Lincoln begins at their own 23.
Lincoln punts, allowing Newbury Park to take over at their own 44, leading 21-14 with 8:29 showing.
Shane Rosenthal makes another SportsCenter-worthy catch at the Lincoln 10.
FUMBLE! Brady Smigiel fumbles the snap inside the 10, leading to a recovery by Lincoln’s Rashad Scott on the Hornets’ 21. Just over six minutes left.
FUMBLE! Akili Smith Jr. fumbles while striving for extra yardage; Blake Bryce strips the ball. The Panthers recover at the Lincoln 36, leading 21-14 with 3:45 remaining.
TOUCHDOWN NEWBURY PARK! Shane Rosenthal achieves another highlight-reel reception, snaring a precise throw from Brady Smigiel for 25 yards to extend the score to 27-14 after an unsuccessful PAT. 1:59 left.
Sophomore Jordan Roa takes the reins at quarterback for Lincoln, with Akili Smith Jr. on the sideline.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: Newbury Park 27, San Diego Lincoln 14
4TH QUARTER
The final quarter kicks off with a Lincoln punt that strikes a Newbury Park player, leading to a recovery by the Hornets. Lincoln takes the ball at Newbury Park’s 36.
Akili Smith Jr. returns to action for Lincoln.
TOUCHDOWN LINCOLN! Cam Joy powers through from 3 yards out, narrowing Newbury Park’s advantage to 27-21 with 9:47 remaining.
Tyler Stromsoe channels energy for Newbury Park, pushing into Lincoln’s territory with 5:39 on the clock.
FUMBLE! A miscommunication between Smigiel and Stromsoe results in a turnover; Rashad Scott picks it up at Lincoln’s 44. 4:21 remaining.
Ty Olsen makes a crucial reception on third down, gaining a first down at the 5 but subsequently succumbing to injury. 3:15 to go.
Blake Bryce sacks Akili Smith Jr., leading to a fourth and goal opportunity at the 15 with 2:27 remaining. Lincoln lines up for it, prompting a timeout from Newbury Park.
TOUCHDOWN LINCOLN! In a stunning turn of events, a pass deflection falls into Joshua Newbern’s hands; he secures the catch while lying down in the end zone. The score is now 27-27 with 2:21 left after the PAT was successfully blocked by Ryder Sheehan.
A swift three-and-out for Newbury Park, including a personal foul penalty resulting in a Panthers ejection. Lincoln takes over on their own 38 with 1:55 remaining, tied at 27-27.
TOUCHDOWN LINCOLN! Courtney Miller keeps the extraordinary catch streak going with a 13-yard touchdown haul with just 21 seconds left. 34-27 Lincoln.
More California high school football updates
Strategies to contain Folsom’s 5-star QB Ryder Lyons? A California coach shares insights
Predictions from Calpreps for CIF State high school football SoCal regional bowl matchups
California high school football teams with a combined 1-19 record are just one step away from the state championship game
California high school football championship concludes in the craziest ending ever (video analysis)
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— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive | @sblivesports
