Beckman surges back into Southern title game

COSTA MESA - All season long, Beckman's football team wanted another chance to win a CIF-SS Southern Division title, one that barely eluded the Patriots last year.

Friday night, the Patriots earned that shot, defeating Estancia, 57-21, in a semifinal game at Estancia.

The top-seeded Patriots (11-2) will meet Pacific Coast League rival and No. 2 seed Corona del Mar next Friday night in the division finals.

"We played an excellent team, and our kids really came together and played well tonight," Beckman coach Ken Mushinskie said.

"They were real hungry to get back to the championship game."

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Beckman exploded for 29 points in the second quarter to break the game open and take a 36-13 halftime lead en route to its 10th consecutive victory.

Beckman lost to Garden Grove, 31-30, in the finals last year in a game many Patriots used as inspiration to get to the finals.

"It was all about a team effort and having one goal, which is getting back to the championship and winning that ring," said Beckman running back Jeff Kim. "Losing by one point last year was a tough loss and was the biggest motivation through the offseason and this whole season."

Kim rushed for 117 yards on 21 carries with one TD. Quarterback Cameron Biedgoly led the charge, completing 5 of 10 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Biedgoly also had a 1 yard TD run in the first quarter which put the Patriots ahead, 7-3.

Running back Brian Brooks was also solid, rushing for 142 yards on 10 carries, including a 63-yard TD run with 3:37 left which sealed the victory.

James Kaprielian also stepped up with three catches for 108 yards, including a 79-yard TD catch in the second quarter that put the Patriots ahead, 21-10.

"They were putting some good pressure on our quarterback, and Cameron is a big, strong kid so he's always able to stay up. Our linemen stuck with their blocks and I saw an opening up the field so I just tried to let it fall into my hands," Kaprielian said.

Fourth-seeded Estancia (10-3) led early when Dan Cabrera kicked a 44-yard field goal with 7:47 left in the first quarter.

But the Eagles, in their first semifinal game, couldn't slow down Beckman after that.

"I'm proud of our kids, and I love all of our kids and we did a lot of good things," Estancia Coach Mike Bargas said. "Beckman was a superior football team tonight, but our kids played their butts off."

Robert Murtha led Estancia, rushing for 223 yards on 30 carries and one TD.