Fargas Goes Out On the Defensive

WOODLAND HILLS —  One way or another, Justin Fargas was going to have a busy night.

Notre Dame High coaches had hoped for another big rushing performance from their star tailback in the Southern Section Division III championship game against Arroyo Grande.

But, over the course of a heart-breaking 19-17 loss on Friday night at Pierce College, things didn’t turn out that way.

Arroyo Grande used its man-in-motion, misdirection offense to control the ball for much of the game, and that meant Fargas spent most of his evening making big plays on defense.

On two of the game’s first three plays from scrimmage, the senior made saving tackles from his spot at safety.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Fargas said. “They move the ball well. That’s their style.”

Time and again, the announcer called: “In on the tackle, number 34, Justin Fargas.” It became a chant.

“He saved a lot of plays and he also made some good hits,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. “He was flying up and tagging guys. He’s such a tough, tough kid.”

Fargas’ toughness was not lost on Arroyo Grande running backs. Late in the second quarter, Garrett Lintner limped off the field after a bruising tackle.

“I got popped really good,” Lintner said. “It took my breath away.”

Fargas saved his best hit for last, forcing Corey Lawrence to fumble with less than a minute remaining in the game, a turnover that led to a brief 17-16 lead for Notre Dame.

But Fargas could not make as big an impact on offense, carrying 19 times for just 78 yards.

The Arroyo Grande offense deserved much of the credit for slowing Fargas down, eating up minutes of the clock on long drives. The Eagles, who overwhelmed pass-happy Newbury Park with ball control in the first round of the playoffs, had almost a three-to-one advantage over Notre Dame in time of possession.

Fargas did not even touch the ball until two minutes into the second quarter. He ran nine yards up the middle, then three yards around left end, and the Knights finally got a first down.

But the Arroyo Grande defense got tougher as the night wore on.

“The design of their defense was such that their ends play very wide and they made him turn everything back inside,” Rooney said.

The going there was definitely tough. Fargas’ longest gain was only 12 yards. More often, he was forced to bull through piles for three or four yards at a time.

“We ran the plays that we ran all year,” Fargas said. “We didn’t have the ball much and we failed to capitalize.”

This was supposed to be a coronation of sorts for a player who finished the season with 2,816 yards and 35 touchdowns. Widely regarded as the top high school running back in the nation, he was supposed to receive his crown.

Instead, Fargas finished the game much the same way as last year when Camarillo defeated Notre Dame, 20-14, in the Division III final. He stood tearful, staring at the field.

“We played our hearts out,” he said. “A few more plays and we would have been champions.”