A slow start was not the culprit for Compton High on Tuesday evening in the CIF-SS Division 4 quarterfinals against visiting Royal High.
The Tarbabes got the first possession of the night and promptly drove down the field, with QB Miah Gibson hitting three different receivers before running in a short TD run herself to give her team the early advantage.
Unfortunately, C-High was unable to maintain that rhythm against the Highlanders’ zone defense, as the visitors pulled down five interceptions on their way to a 12-6 victory.
“That first drive was amazing. It was to a T,” said Compton head coach Jason Carreras. “And I think once the mistakes started happening, unfortunately, a lot of girls haven’t been in this situation before, and sometimes it’s heavy. And it’s a talk I have to have with the girls about just staying connected, no matter what the mistakes are. We had the ball many times to keep this going, I just think for a lot of the girls, the moment was a little much. And they were in their heads a little bit, and we couldn’t just stay level where we needed to be.”
After Compton took the early 6-0 lead less than five minutes into the game, the defense got a stop with the help of a sack by freshman Destin’ee Kelley, the first of two on the day for her. After the offense got back on the field, they were driving again into Royal’s red zone before the Highlander defense made a game-changing play.
Safety Natasha Paloian stepped in for an interception at her own four-yard line, and was able to return it all the way back 76 yards for the score, tying the game at 6-6 late in the opening quarter.
The defenses took over from that point on, with Compton having the best scoring chance late in the half thanks to a nice punt return by Ariel Willard. However, that scoring chance was cut short on an INT by Brianna Gabaldon to send things to the half tied.
Royal was able to take the lead on the opening drive of the second half, getting a big pass play from QB Paige Laranjo to Mikaela Jones deep into Compton territory. Then on 4th & Goal, Laranjo connected with Bridgette Chavez over the middle, and she was able to reach the ball across the goal line just as Willard was pulling her flag. That gave the Highlanders a 12-6 lead with 7:45 left in the third.
Compton was able to drive into Royal territory a handful of times in the second half, but couldn’t turn any of those drives into points. In one instance, Gibson was brought down a yard shy of a first down on a 4th & 5 scramble. And the last three Compton drives all ended in interceptions–one by Jones and the last two by Paloian, giving her three for the game.
“They scouted us pretty good,” admitted Carreras. “They had their two safeties deep, and scouting them we knew their safeties were good, and we knew throwing deep would be an issue. Miah has made some throws all year, and I think today, I think she just got in her head a little bit. But our scheme was to bring those safeties up with some under (routes), they just kept it. They were the better team today.”
The Compton defense played well throughout, getting a key interception by Zhiyah White in the second half to set them up at the Royal 30.
On their final possession of the night, starting with just 1:39 on the clock, Compton was able to drive into Highlander territory thanks to a terrific leaping catch by Audrey Baker. However, the drive would lose steam thanks to consecutive sacks by Royal’s Annabelle Isaacs which set up the decisive interception by Paloian.
Compton ends the season with an impressive 21-4 record, and will no doubt be a dangerous team in 2026.
Royal (6-8) advances to the D4 semifinals on Saturday where they will host Riverside Poly.
