El Dorado-Trabuco Hills was physical, but with dignity

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I can’t say enough about the way top-seeded El Dorado (13-1) and third-seeded Trabuco Hills (12-2) went out Friday night in their 13-12 thriller, especially after reading about the mess between Colony and Canyon Springs. This was a game that, within moments turned from joy to heartbreak on one sideline, anxiety to glee on the other.

And, from my vantage point, the postgame went off without incident. Sure, there was the Trabuco Hills lineman stomping off the field yelling in frustration after a bad snap was mishandled by the holder and kicker Christian Lepore was tackled before he got anywhere close to the end zone. But decorum reigned.

The game was very physical. I mean, it was Pac-5 physical. A lot of tackling took place from the chest up, and a lot of ball carriers fell over very quickly. But there was never an instance of retaliation. Everyone popped back up and went about the business of trying to win a title.

Both teams deserved this one. But only one will take home the big plaque.

-- Martin Henderson