Valley Christian Defeats San Dimas 28-12 in CIF Semifinals

San Dimas High School’s playoff journey concluded on March 15, 2024, as they fell to Cerritos Valley Christian with a score of 28-12 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 9 semifinals. Valley Christian’s strong second-half performance allowed them to secure a place in the championship game against Ramona, who won their semifinal match against Hesperia by a decisive 40-13.

The young San Dimas team, finishing the season with a record of 7-6, enjoyed a notable playoff run, winning two games prior to this match. This marks the ninth time in the last decade that the Saints have advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. Despite the loss, San Dimas coach Mark Holman expressed pride in his team’s efforts.

“Valley Christian is good,” Holman stated. “But we didn’t give them our best game. Hats off to them, though. They showed up and we had a few miscues.”

A standout player for San Dimas was junior running back Jacob Gallegos, who was instrumental in the team’s offensive strategy. Following a remarkable game where he rushed for 248 yards in a previous victory over Riverside Poly, Gallegos accumulated 137 yards on 26 carries against Valley Christian, scoring two touchdowns. One was a rushing touchdown, and the other came on a 34-yard reception.

Holman praised Gallegos’ versatility, saying, “He can catch the ball. He can run the ball. He can block. He does everything.” Gallegos reflected on the team’s journey, expressing both disappointment and pride: “It sucks to lose, but we did amazing. No one thought we’d make it all this way.”

The game began with a competitive first half. San Dimas trailed 14-12 at halftime but struggled to maintain momentum in the second half. Valley Christian’s defense tightened, showcasing effective ball control and capitalizing on critical moments in the fourth quarter.

The turning point came when Valley Christian opened the third quarter with a methodical 13-play, 68-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes of play. Quarterback Liam Sweeney connected with Sean Bouma for a touchdown on a fourth-and-3, extending the lead to 21-12. Shortly thereafter, Valley Christian scored again, with Sweeney hitting Bouma for a 33-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 28-12 before the end of the third quarter.

San Dimas faced difficulties in the second half, unable to convert crucial fourth downs, including a significant stop by Valley Christian’s defense that limited their offensive capabilities. The Saints relied heavily on Gallegos, especially in the first half, where he was a critical component of their scoring plays.

The game concluded with a display of sportsmanship as San Dimas players, coaches, and parents gathered on the field, reflecting on the emotional end of the season, particularly for the seniors. Holman emphasized the bright future ahead, stating, “The future is definitely bright. We have the majority of the team coming back next year, so I’m super excited about that.”

Gallegos shared similar sentiments about the team’s potential for growth. “I love this team,” he said. “There’s so much more to come.”

As Valley Christian prepares for its championship matchup against Ramona, San Dimas will take valuable lessons from this season, looking forward to continued success in the years to come.