GARDEN GROVE — Taking over a new program is no easy task, but Pacifica football head coach Kyle Murphy has helped the Mariners go from a 3-7 team to league champions in just two seasons.

The Mariners posted their fourth shutout of league play, got three rushing touchdowns from Addison Adams and beat Portola 28-0 to win the Omicron League title Thursday night at Bolsa Grande High.

A Pacifica player, right, celebrates with coaches after the Mariners won the Omicron League football championship by beating Portola in Garden Grove on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

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“It’s just a lot of confirmation for the way I was taught at Edison,” Murphy said, “when I was taught at Arizona State, when I came back to coach at Edison, there’s no substitute for hard work.”

Pacifica finishes the regular season 5-5 overall and 5-0 in the Omicron League, giving the program its first outright league title since 2005. The Mariners are in the CIF Southern Section playoffs for the first time since 2021.

“I have a ton of pride. I’m proud to be their head coach,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to be around these guys every day, my favorite part of the day is when they’re in my room hanging out. They’re a special group and I’m really happy for them.”

The defense for Pacifica posted four shutouts during its current five game winning streak. Murphy credits defensive coordinator Michael Vega and the hard work of his players.

“He (Vega) was thrown into that role last year and it was unexpected, but he put in a lot of work (during the offseason) and continues to put in a lot of work, just like the guys do and it shows,” he said.

Portola (4-6, 4-1) entered the league finale riding a four-game win streak and looking to win the league title, but finishes in second place. It also earned an automatic berth in the playoffs.

The CIF-SS playoff pairings will be released Sunday.

Pacifica went on an opening drive that lasted nearly eight minutes and was capped by a 1-yard run by Adams.

The first drive appeared to stall near the red zone as the Mariners lined up for a 37-yard field goal. Ethan McLaughlin’s kick split the uprights but the Bulldogs were penalized for roughing the kicker.

Pacifica took advantage of the new set of downs and made the score 7-0 a few plays later on Adams’ short run.

Later in the quarter the Mariners went on another long drive thanks to great running by Noah Lewis and Miguel Campos.

Adams added his second TD on a 6-yard jet sweep with 10:17 left in the second quarter to make it 14-0.

Pacifica’s Addison Adams scored three touchdowns in the Mariners’ 28-0 win over Portola on Thursday, Oct. 31, to secure the Omicron League title. (Photo by David Delgado)

“We have great running backs and we have Addi in short yardage because he’s big and he’s strong and fast and he’s hard to stop,” Murphy said.

Portola answered with a solid drive led by Timothy Grettenberg and Diego Reyna and appeared to have scored on Nash Luper’s 13-yard QB keeper but again the Bulldogs were flagged for a crucial penalty. They had to settle for a 50-yard field goal try by Ishaan Kedia that fell short.

Ma’Kai Brown added a 35-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that was set up by a terrific punt return from Armando Torres.

The Bulldogs squandered another chance to score when they had a second TD called back due to a penalty, this time from a holding call.

The drive ended when Luper was sacked on fourth down by Jayden Leneker.

Adams found the end zone for a third and final time with 2:27 remaining.

Pacifica football celebrates after knocking off Portola to win league title

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