Defense leads Oaks Christian football team into the CIF-SS Division 5 championship game

Loren Ledin, Ventura County Star

November 20, 2021 at 1:21 PM·4 min read

On the occasion of the postseason semifinals, Mathias Malaki-Donaldson answered his inner alarm clock.

"Time to be dominant," said Oaks Christian School's senior defensive end. "Time for everybody to step up and make plays. We know what kind of defense we have. We know what this game meant for us."

Malaki-Donaldson, fellow Pac-12 recruit and linemate Sterling Lane and the Lions defense put up a ferocious effort that landed Oaks Christian in its dream scenario Friday night.

The No. 2-seeded Lions pitched a shutout for 3 1/2 quarters to roll up a 24-14 victory over No. 3 seed El Modena in the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 semifinals and earn a berth in their first championship game since 2017.

Oaks Christian (7-6) will travel to Valencia (7-4) in the Division 5 final, either this Friday or Saturday night. Ironically, the same two teams played for a Southern Section championship in 2017, with the Lions prevailing, 20-19.

Oaks Christian's berth on the championship stage might have seemed a longshot at midseason. The Lions began the season with five consecutive losses.

"This is so special," said sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Justice Williams. "I'm so glad we did this for the seniors. We never stopped fighting. We always believed in ourselves."

Williams had two key plays, including an early interception and a sparkling 20-yard touchdown pass reception from quarterback Cole Tannenbaum that put Oaks Christian up 10-0 at the top of the second quarter.

Williams stretched out in the end zone to beat a pair of defenders and haul in the game-changing reception.

"I ran a go and (Tannenbaum) made the perfect throw," said Williams. "It felt so good to make that play for the team."

Lane, a senior defensive end, was giddy with excitement at game's end. There was a happy dance, hugs for teammates, a smile that reached from goal post to goal post.

He pointed to his gloved hand and thought about what could be in the coming weeks.

"We've wanted to play for a ring this entire season," he said. "This is what we've been playing for. This is why I came here. I want to win a ring with my teammates.

"I always believed we would have that chance. We're a team that pulled together."

The Lions defense thoroughly dominated for virtually the entire game, or until the starters stood on the sidelines.

Oak Christian's defenders harassed and controlled El Modena stellar senior quarterback Jack Keays, holding him to 120 passing yards while intercepting three passes. The Vanguards' two scores didn't come until under five minutes remained in the game.

"We knew we had to stop him," said Malaki-Donaldson. "We put pressure on him the whole night. We knew our secondary would make plays behind us."

The decisive moment for the Oaks Christian defense came late in the first half, with the Lions clinging to their 10-0 lead.

Keays made his biggest play of the night for the Vanguards with a 40-yard run to the Oaks Christian 15-yard line. But El Modena couldn't capitalize. Four plays later, facing a fourth-and-one at the 6, Keays' pass attempt skidded into the ground and the scoring threat evaporated.

With the Lions defense standing strong, Oaks Christian's playmakers put a stranglehold on the game.

At the end of a 12-play, 44-yard drive to open the game, the Lions called on Aidan Flintoft to convert a 39-yard field goal and a 3-0 with 5:50 on the clock in the first quarter.

Williams' 20-yard touchdown reception from Tannenbaum earned a 10-0 lead at halftime.

A two-minute stretch applied the clincher in the third quarter.

First, backup running back Mckenzie Parks broke off a 68-yard touchdown run with 8:00 left in the third quarter to hike the lead to 17-0. On the following possession, Nathan Moreno intercepted a Keays' pass in the flat and returned it to the 2-yard line.

Tannenbaum scored on a 1-yard sneak on second down to push the lead to 24-0.

El Modena's two late scores came on a 28-yard trick pass play from Sam Astor to Keays and a 14-yard pass completion from Keays to Owen Smith.

Johnny Thompson, returning to action from a sprained ankle, rushed for 83 yards on 13 carries for the Lions. Parks notched 94 rushing yards on six carries.

Elijah Gibson had the other interception for Oaks Christian.

Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Defense leads Oaks Christian into the CIF-SS Division 5 title game

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