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CHATSWORTH — When Jon Ellinghouse hoisted the CIF plaque into the brisk winter air, it was different from the five times he’d done it before. As he thrusted his two hands above his head, his team rallied around him in celebration as he relished in vindication.
“There were people out there doubting us, we just kept working, we just kept showing up everyday,” Ellinghouse said.
After starting the season 1-3, the program’s worst start in history, Ellinghouse capped his 16th season as Sierra Canyon football coach with a 23-7 victory over Inglewood in the Southern Section Division 2 final at home Saturday night.
The Sierra Canyon (10-4) defense held previously-unbeaten Inglewood (13-1) to a season low in points and quarterback Husan Longstreet to just 134 yards passing which anchored the program’s sixth CIF title and move to 6-1 all-time in finals since 2010.
What a moment for Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse. This team started 1-3 and now they’re champs. The Trailblazers defense held Inglewood to a season-low 7 points. pic.twitter.com/TVpY27s7rl
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) November 27, 2022
“Every championship is different … but, most importantly, this one represents a bunch of kids that believed in one another and leaned on great leadership by the captains,” Ellinghouse said.
Sophomore running back Dane Dunn rushed for 201 yards on 32 carries and all three of the team’s touchdowns, including multiple third and fourth-down conversions.
“Our offensive line is amazing, without those guys we have no running game,” Dunn said. “They make things easy.”
Sierra Canyon’s home opener on August 26, unveiling its new $2 million on-campus stadium, was a disaster. The Trailblazers lost to Oaks Christian 38-21 and the power went out three times during the game. The next home game, they lost to Mission Viejo 41-0. The home game after that, they fell to Bishop Amat in double overtime. Doom and gloom hovered over the program as it started 1-3 and moved to 2-4 two weeks later. But the team never gave up and never gave in.
“We never turned on each other. We never pointed fingers. We knew we had to come together and figure it out, and we did,” Dunn said about the turnaround.
Added Ellinghouse: “After the Mission Viejo loss, most teams would’ve cashed in the season, but not these guys,” Ellinghouse said. “They kept working and we started a great run of good football. It’s also a reason why the team won. Because we’ve been challenged, had ups and downs, been behind in games … those experiences were huge for us.”
Sierra Canyon wins the CIF-SS Division 2 title – its sixth in program history – with a 23-7 win over Inglewood. Dane Dunn had 32 carries for 201 yards and 3TDs. An unreal performance for the sophomore. pic.twitter.com/pZdhvQSWld
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) November 27, 2022
Dunn ripped off a 50-yard run on Sierra Canyon’s first play of the game before punching in a 2-yard score on the next play. It was a two-play, 17-second drive to give the Trailblazers a 7-0 lead. Dunn later capped of an eight-minute drive after Jae’on Young intercepted Inglewood to make it 14-0.
Inglewood’s lone touchdown came just before halftime to make to 17-7 at the break. After a scoreless third quarter, Dunn put the game away with his third touchdown with 2:21 left to play.
“This is amazing,” Dunn said after the game. “It’s hard to explain how I’m feeling. I’m just so happy that everyone is happy.”
After Dunn’s performance Saturday night, he finished the sectional playoffs rushing for 731 yards on 93 carries and nine touchdowns in four games.
“He always finds away to make plays,” Ellinghouse said of Dunn. “He’s a great kid, a hard worker, and has an incredibly bright future.”
Sierra Canyon will await the announcement of the CIF State SoCal Regional Bowl games Sunday. Cal-Hi Sports projects the Trailblazers will face Lincoln High, the Open Division winner of the San Diego Section, next weekend.