Must-Win Situation for Viewpoint's Football Team in Finale

It all comes down to this.

can guarantee a spot in the Southern Section Northeast Division football playoffs by defeating Pasadena Poly in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m. Friday at not bad for a Viewpoint program that is coming off a two-win season and has won a total of five games over the previous three years.

Viewpoint (6-3) and Pasadena Poly (6-3) are both 2-2 and tied for third in the Prep League. The top three teams in the six-team league qualify for the playoffs, and there are a total of four at-large berths split between the six leagues in the division, thus nothing is for certain if the host Patriots don’t win the game.

Throw into the equation the fact it’s homecoming for Viewpoint, and there is no question the Friday showdown is by far the biggest game of the year.

“It should be a huge night,” Viewpoint coach Chris Adamson said. “We’ve already set a school record for most wins in a season, and now we’re one win away from securing a bid to the playoffs.”

Viewpoint is coming off a 48-17 win at Webb in Claremont, and quarterback Joey Verhaugh believes his team has the momentum.

“We had a great all-around play from everyone from the offensive linemen to the receivers to the defense to special teams last week,” Verhaugh said. “We put a complete game together, and if we keep it up, you can expect to see us deep in the playoffs.”

Added Adamson: “We played with more emotion and fire than any game over the last two years.”

Verhaugh has passed for 1,268 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he has scored five touchdowns. A senior transfer from Crespi, the quarterback has had a major impact on Viewpoint’s success.

Pasadena Poly has advanced to the section quarterfinals or further in each of the past two seasons. The key player is Harrsion Hodgkins, who has rushed for 867 yards, caught a team-best 12 passes for 252 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

ONE LAST CHANCE FOR CALABASAS FOOTBALL

It’s been a trying football season for Calabasas under first-year coach Christian Pierce. The Coyotes (1-8) can finish no better than last in the Marmonte League, having lost eight in a row by an average margin of more than 35 points heading into the finale Thursday at 7 p.m. at Thousand Oaks.

Nevertheless, there is lots of motivation for Calabasas to win the game, as the Coyotes can play spoiler by upsetting Thousand Oaks, which is among three Marmonte teams fighting for the final two playoff spots in the 10-team league.

It’s all but mandatory for Thousand Oaks to win to make the playoffs—and Calabasas knows it.

“Yes, sir,” Pierce said. “We’re focused on our season-ending game against a very good Thousand Oaks team. We must play hard, never quit and finish the game—and season—strong. Though our record is not what we had hoped for, this has been a season of growth.

"Sometimes you go through adversity in order to appreciate the opportunities at hand,” he said.

Calabasas plans to be better next year when the league breaks into two five-team groupings.

“Next season, we will be more disciplined, more competitive and better equipped to take advantage of our opportunities. We will get it done.”