Holy Family Football Falls Short in Semifinals, 21-14 to Windsor

BREAKING: Holy Family football’s remarkable run has come to an end after a heart-wrenching 21-14 loss to the top-seeded Windsor Wizards in the Class 3A state semifinals on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Coach Mike Gabriel praised his team’s tenacity, as they fought valiantly against a formidable opponent on the Wizards’ home turf.

In a game that many thought would be a lopsided affair, the fifth-seeded Tigers proved their mettle, challenging Windsor until the very end. With crucial plays that could have turned the tide, the Tigers fell just short of a state championship appearance next week.

“These kids are just warriors. They showed incredible courage,” Gabriel stated after the game. “I looked at the field in the third quarter and thought, ‘These Windsor guys are monsters,’ while our little kids were battling their hearts out.”

Defensive strategies shaped the game early as Holy Family halted Windsor’s first drive on a fourth-and-4. However, Windsor struck first with a 5-yard touchdown run by Adrian Czyszczon, putting them ahead with 4:31 left in the first half. Just minutes later, Holy Family retaliated. After recovering a fumbled return on Windsor’s 5-yard line, quarterback Kaden Hopkin connected with Roman Ochs for a touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7 going into halftime.

“It was amazing,” said player Nicolas Vasquez. “All the work we put in felt worth it. We relied on each other and played our roles.”

Hopkin finished the game with 115 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yard strike to Nick Leopardi early in the third quarter, giving the Tigers a brief 14-7 lead. Unfortunately, Windsor quickly responded, with Czyszczon and Mason Moore each scoring, sealing Holy Family’s fate.

As the clock wound down, the Tigers faced a critical fourth-and-9 at midfield but were unable to convert, ending their season with an impressive 11-2 record. Windsor now advances to face No. 2 Pomona in the state title game.

“They just had a little more than we did today,” Gabriel reflected. “Two teams with championship pedigree will fight hard, and they did just that.”

Ochs expressed pride in being part of Holy Family athletics, emphasizing the strong bonds formed within the team. “It’s not just a team; it’s a band of brothers,” he said. “We worked hard all summer and came back ready to dominate.”

As the Tigers regroup and reflect on their season, their journey has undoubtedly left an impact on the players, coaches, and the community. Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming state championship game as Windsor prepares to take on Pomona.