The Brentwood School football team might be inclined to see the current Déjà Vu movie.
That’s because Brentwood lost a big lead to Maranatha during the regular season, then lost to Maranatha again in similar fashion Friday, December 1 in the CIF Northeast Division playoffs.
The first time Brentwood couldn’t hold a 28-7 lead in the fourth quarter. This time Brentwood had a 20-10 lead in the third quarter.
Maranatha rallied for a 31-20 victory at Clark Field in Lakewood and will go on to the division’s championship game this weekend against top-seeded St. Margaret’s.
“There are 16 teams in the division playoffs and 15 lose their last game, but you can’t let that spoil the accomplishments of the season,” said Brentwood Coach Patrick Brown.
“I’m real proud of this team. For me it was a very enjoyable season. There were some tough times early and we came back, made the playoffs and won a couple of playoff games.
“The closer you get to a championship, that goal seems realistic. But only one team is going to get that prize.”
Brentwood scored the game’s first touchdown, fell behind 10-7 and scored shortly before halftime for a 14-10 intermission lead. When Brentwood scored the first touchdown of the third quarter it looked like the Eagles might reverse the earlier loss to their Alpha League rivals from Pasadena.
However, Maranatha scooped up a fumble near midfield and ran to the Brentwood five-yard-line to set up a touchdown. The shift in momentum continued as Maranatha scored the go-ahead touchdown and intercepted a pass to have possession with a couple of minutes left.
Heading for a 24-20 defeat, Brentwood bunched its defenders and Maranatha broke loose for another touchdown.
Looking at season’s highlights, Brown recalled the first two games in which Brentwood had minus rushing yards in one and 22 yards in the other, then developed a productive running attack which carried it through its schedule.
“The improvement of the offensive line, the emergence of Manny Benton as an 800-yard running back and the play of our two quarterbacks, Mason Moss and Josh Amster, were highlights,” said Brown.
Brentwood played in the division’s toughest league. Of the four division playoff semi-finalists, three were from the Alpha League.
Now Maranatha will represent the league in the division title game while Brentwood and Whittier Christian can be proud of reaching the semi-finals.
With Santa Monica not being chosen to compete in the CIF playoffs and with Venice losing in the second round of the LA City playoffs, Brentwood lasted longer than any other Westside school.