Ramona rolls past Pleasant Valley 35-7: Live update summary — Rams win first CIF State title in dominating fashion

Ramona's Peter Mesa scored three touchdowns, the final coming on defense, in Friday's 35-7 win over Pleasant Valley

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA — Less than two minutes into Friday's championship game, Pleasant Valley and Ramona had each given the ball away via an interception. Ramona quickly refocused, scoring touchdowns on three of their next four possessions on their way to a 35-7 victory over Pleasant Valley in the CIF State D5-AA championship game.

Ramona running back and linebacker Peter Mesa had a memorable night in his final high school football game. The senior rushed for two touchdowns, finishing with 59 yards on eight carries. He also closed out the scoring for the Rams, returning an interception 76 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

Junior running back Sincere Tolbert surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season on Friday, rushing for 141 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. He was one of three players ejected over a 17-second span once the Rams increased the lead to 35 late in the second quarter.

Pleasant Valley ended up with better field position throughout the night but were unable to capitalize. The Vikings had a 30-yard field goal get blocked on their first possession of the second quarter. 

With the clock running in the fourth quarter due to Ramona's 35-point lead, Pleasant Valley put together a drive to avoid getting shutout. Sophomore Titus Andrus rushed three times for 72 yards on the drive, the final rush a 12-yard touchdown around the right edge.

The Vikings were eyeing their third state title since 2016 while the Rams were able to get their first and bring one back to the Inland Empire that has largely struggled in the CIF State football format.

Final box score in Ramona's 35-7 win over Pleasant Valley / Courtesy CIF

PREGAME —Two-time CIF State champion Pleasant Valley takes on Southern Section Division 11 champion Ramona in the CIF State 5-AA championship game at El Camino College.

• Previews from all five state championships at El Camino College

Pleasant Valley beat Miramonte in last week's Northern California regional bowl game while Ramona took down Torrance last week to reach Friday's game

Pleasant Valley will be looking for their third state championship after winning in 2016 and 2018 while Ramona will be playing in their first title.

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LIVE UPDATES BELOW

Kickoff set for 8 p.m. ...

FOURTH QUARTER

Ramona 35, Pleasant Valley 7 (3:40) — The Vikings are on the board. Sophomore Titus Andrus ran around the right side for a 12-yard touchdown.

- The running clock rule is in effect with Ramona holding a 35-point lead to open the final quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

- Pleasant Valley worked the ball down to the five-yard but threw an interception on fourth and goal. Sophomore Troy Long grabbed the interception but a hold on the return gave the Rams the ball at their own 23-yard line.

Ramona 35, Pleasant Valley 0 (2:30) — Another promising Pleasant Valley drive ends with a turnover. Ramona's Peter Mesa intercepted a pass across the middle and sprinted 76 yards to score his third touchdown of the night.

Ramona 28, Pleasant Valley 0 (5:29) — Ramona capitalized on a Pleasant Valley turnover. The Rams drove 60 yards and capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah Acosta to Royce Mendoza.

- Pleasant Valley converted a punt inside their own 20-yard line on the first drive of the half but fumbled the ball away on the Ramona 40-yard line.

SECOND QUARTER

- Pleasant Valley was content to run the clock out after getting the ball back in the final minute of the half. The Vikings will receive the second half kickoff.

Ramona 21, Pleasant Valley 0 (0:33) — Ramona drove down the field after Pleasant Valley missed their field goal attempt. Peter Mesa stayed on his feet and scored from 13 yards out to get the Rams their third touchdown of the opening half.

- Pleasant Valley put together their best drive of the night but missed a 36-yard field goal attempt.

- Ramona drove into the red zone but had their 30-yard field goal attempt blocked. Pleasant Valley managed to return the ball just past midfield to the 49-yard line to begin their drive.

- Pleasant Valley was stuffed on fourth down and one from their own 47-yard line. Ramona will start with their best field position of the night.

FIRST QUARTER

Ramona 14, Pleasant Valley 0 (0:04) — Ramona started at their own nine-yard line and drove the length of the field, finishing the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by leading rusher Sincere Tolbert.

Sincere Tolbert scores from a yard out. 14-0 Ramona, four seconds remaining in the opening quarter. pic.twitter.com/Ypi2sQ9a8u

— Bodie DeSilva (@SDPreps) December 9, 2023

Ramona 7, Pleasant Valley 0 (6:50) — Ramona finished off a nine-play, 98-yard drive with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Peter Mesa.

- Pleasant Valley returned the favor tossing an interception, just short of the end zone. It was interception No. 10 of the season for Ramona's Royce Mendoza.

- Ramona opened the game from the three-yard line but were intercepted shortly after. Pleasant Valley sophomore Keyaun McMillion came down with the interception on his own 42-yard line.

-- Bodie De Silva | bodie@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca