Beckman celebrates success
TUSTIN- It turns out that Beckman coach Fred Shambaugh’s three-year plan to reach the playoffs was a two-year plan.
The Patriots (6-3-1, 3-2) jumped to an early lead then survived Corona del Mar’s second half surge for a 20-14 victory at Northrup Field on Friday to clinch the final postseason berth in the Pacific Coast League and the team’s first playoff appearance in five years at the varsity level.
“When I took over my goal was to make the playoffs in my third year,” Shambaugh said. “But I’m absolutely ecstatic that we were able to make it in two.”
Keith Lawson rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, the final one with 10:01 left in the game with from 1 yard out on fourth down to push the lead to 20-7.
The Sea Kings (4-6, 0-5) came back to score on Michael Borchard’s 43-yard pass to John Christian to cut the lead to six.
On the ensuing drive, Justin Hazard was sacked on third-and-6 to force a punt, and it gave Corona del Mar a chance to win the game with 1:31 from their 19-yard line.
But the Patriots defense forced four consecutive incompletions.
