Paraclete Loaded for Big Bear

LUCERNE VALLEY â€”  Perhaps Sean Fraser should consider a permanent position change.

The Paraclete High quarterback made his debut at tailback, rushing for 157 yards and a touchdown in 30 carries, and the Spirits defeated Big Bear, 17-6, on Saturday in a Southern Section Division XI quarterfinal playoff game at Lucerne Valley High.

“I didn’t even know where I’d be starting until today,� Fraser said, “But I’m a senior, so I have to be prepared to play wherever my team needs me.�

Fraser filled in for Dominic Washington, who sat out much of the game with an injured ankle suffered in a 32-16 victory over Kilpatrick last week. Washington played only on defense in the second and third quarters.

Robbie Fockaert stepped in at quarterback and completed 14 of 19 passes for 166 yards, and scored on a three-yard run with 1:10 left in the game.

Second-seeded Paraclete out-gained the Bears, 188-45, in the first half, but only led, 7-6, at halftime on Fraser’s 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Penalties proved costly for the Spirits (11-1), who were flagged nine times for 60 yards in the first half. One penalty nullified a 23-yard touchdown pass play from Fockaert to Tommy Breech, who caught seven passes for 120 yards.

Big Bear (7-5), co-champion of the De Anza League, scored on a controversial play 20 seconds before halftime. Fraser seemed to be stopped at the Big Bear two-yard-line but defensive back Jay Alvarado stripped him of the ball and ran 98 yards for a touchdown.

Paraclete plays Yucca Valley in the semifinals on Friday.