SAN DIEGO, CA — No. 2 Cathedral Catholic used a balanced offensive attack and a dominant defensive performance to defeat No. 3 Granite Hills, 42-21, improving to 3-2 on the season.

The Dons scored on their opening possession, marching down the field before Willie Flores capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Granite Hills answered with a long touchdown pass, but Cathedral responded with three consecutive scoring drives to take control of the game.

Quarterback Koa Smith-Mayall delivered an outstanding performance through the air, completing 13 of 17 passes for 200 yards and five touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns went to Isaac Cook, who finished with five receptions for 102 yards. Cook’s touchdown catches covered 25, 11 and 13 yards.

Cathedral’s rushing attack consistently moved the chains throughout the night. Ashton Stewart carried 13 times for 78 yards, while Honor Faalave-Johnson added nine carries for 74 yards and three receptions for 28 yards. Faalave totaled 102 all-purpose yards and added a 10-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Willie Flores contributed eight carries for 69 yards and 80 all-purpose yards.

The Dons took a 21-14 lead into halftime after Smith-Mayall connected with Cook for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Granite Hills pulled within a touchdown late in the third quarter, but Cathedral answered with a long fourth-quarter drive that culminated in Faalave’s touchdown reception.

With the Dons leading 35-21, the defense forced another Granite Hills turnover on downs, setting up Smith-Mayall’s final touchdown pass of the night, a 32-yard strike to AJ Trudell that pushed the lead to 42-21.

Defensively, Cathedral was relentless up front, recording 10 sacks. Ryder Molchanoff led the charge with four sacks and 10 total tackles, while Kevin Clark recorded 12 total tackles and two sacks. Asofa Lauifi, Titus Napoleon and Jordan Lilo each added two sacks, with Lilo also making several key plays in the backfield throughout the game.

The Dons also came up with a crucial late-game interception when Zedahn Smith picked off a Granite Hills pass to help seal the victory.

Granite Hills quarterback Zac Benitez completed 22 of 33 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, but the Dons’ pressure and defensive playmaking ultimately kept the Eagles from sustaining drives late in the game.

With the 42-21 victory, Cathedral Catholic improves to 3-2 on the season. They will host perennial powerhouse De La Salle Friday, October 2nd at 7pm.