The Malibu High School football team lost its second consecutive game last week, suffering a 23-20 loss to the Flintridge Prep Rebels.
The match-up was the second game of Malibu’s (1-3) four-game home stand, but a less than enthusiastic crowd arrived to support the home team. Despite the lack of spirit, the Sharks opened the game strong, forcing the Rebels to punt on their first drive. Wasting no time, senior Justin Saul returned the punt 85-yards for a touchdown, and after a missed PAT, Malibu led 6-0.
Flintridge answered right back, scoring on their next drive, but the Malibu special teams continued to assert their dominance, as senior Jackson Wirht returned the kickoff 69 yards. The Malibu offense took over with good field position, setting up a one-yard touchdown run for senior fullback Kyle Parker that gave Malibu a 13-7 lead. Flintridge once again retaliated, however, scoring on a short touchdown run that gave them a 14-13 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Malibu’s special teams continued to shine, and after Wirht returned the opening kickoff 45 yards, the Sharks took the lead on a one-yard sneak by quarterback Victor Tyler.
For the second straight game the Sharks led at the start of the fourth quarter, and for the second straight game they then fell apart, handing their opponent the victory through unforced errors and poor execution. Wirht began the quarter for Malibu on a high note, recovering a Rebels fumble in the end zone to put the Sharks on the 20-yard line. However, after a weak offensive series, the Sharks faced a fourth and long situation and were forced to punt from their own end zone. Punter Chris Konkol took the field, but a high snap forced him to fall onto the ball, giving the Rebels a safety and cutting the Sharks’ lead to 20-16. After the punted kick-off, Flintridge took over possession on the 33-yard line and ran in a touchdown to take the lead. Trailing by three, the Malibu offense then took the field in an attempt to move the ball into field goal range. Things looked promising after Tyler connected with Wirht for a 29-yard reception, but a fumble on the play ended Malibu’s hopes of a comeback, and handed the Rebels the victory, 23-20.
The Sharks’ most severe weakness this season has been the inability to capitalize on opportunities offensively. Several times in the past two games, their defense has gotten a takeaway or stopped their opponent on the goal line, only to see the offense turn the ball over or be forced to punt after three plays.
“It’s very frustrating,” Malibu head coach Ray Humphrey said of his team’s inability to execute. “We’ll be driving the ball, but things in the game happen, and there are going to be sudden changes. We have to be able to overcome turnovers, and we did a good job getting the ball back. We just have to play four quarters of football. We’re a good team, but we just need to prepare a lot better mentally.”
As the varsity squad continues to struggle, the Malibu junior varsity team earned its third straight victory last week after defeating the Rebels. Both teams return to action this week at home against L.A. Baptist, the junior varsity team on Thursday at 4 p.m., and the varsity team Friday at 4 p.m.