SOLANA BEACH – To open his senior season, Santa Fe Christian High running back Corbin Cutshaw rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 99 yards for another score in a victory over La Jolla.
It turns out he was just getting warmed up.
Cutshaw has kept going to amass 1,832 yards rushing for the San Diego Section lead this season, averaging 11.2 yards per carry. Also, he has scored a section-best 31 TDs.
With each step, the 5-foot-9, 183-pound Cutshaw has helped the Eagles advance to Qualcomm Stadium for the Division IV title game tomorrow at 10 a.m. against Mission Bay.
“When it comes down to Qualcomm, stats don't mean a thing,” Cutshaw said. “It's just how well you play. What I did during the rest of the season really doesn't matter. It's down to what we can do as a team for one game.”
This will be the fourth straight finals appearance for second-seeded SFC (10-2) and Cutshaw, who was promoted to the varsity late in his freshman season. The Eagles moved up to Div. IV last year and lost to Valley Center in the title game after claiming two straight Div. V crowns.
Should Mission Bay hold Cutshaw without a touchdown, the top-seeded Buccaneers (10-1) will be the first to do so this season. Indeed, he has recorded two or more TDs in all but one outing.
“It's always a special feeling knowing that I'm helping my team out,” said Cutshaw, who has been timed in 4.4 seconds in the 40.
Cutshaw also starts at strong safety. On his one interception this season, he returned the ball 52 yards for a score against Bishop's in a triumph that clinched the Coastal League championship for the Eagles.
“I'll go so far as to say if we win this game in Qualcomm, he should be (section) Player of the Year,” said SFC coach Brian Sipe, a former NFL Most Valuable Player for the Browns. “He's been a big difference on both sides of the ball. I don't know if we've ever had a tougher player.”
Sipe believes Cutshaw has a future in major-college football, although recruiters may be hesitant because of the player's compact stature. In a nod to his alma mater, Sipe noted that he would recommend Cutshaw to San Diego State.
First, Cutshaw and his teammates are eager for a rematch with Mission Bay, which prevailed 28-21 when the teams met early this season. A year ago, SFC topped the Bucs 7-5 in the section semifinals.
“This is our dream come true,” Cutshaw said. “Since they beat us in the second week of the season, we've always had a bone to pick with them. We just couldn't be more excited to play Mission Bay in Qualcomm.”
As always, look for Cutshaw on the run.
