Call it the Glow show!
Junior quarterback Griffin Glowacki threw for three touchdowns as the Samohi Vikings clobbered the visiting Portola Bulldogs 37-15 to kick off the CIF-SS Division 8 playoffs Friday night.
It took all of a few minutes for the Vikings (7-4) to put Portola (7-4) on the ropes. Glowacki opened the night by launching a 51-yard missile down the gridiron to Ryan Blake for a lightning-quick score. Minutes later, Saul Buendia plowed through the trenches on a 1-yard goal-line plunge to make it 14-0 before the Bulldogs even figured out which way they were running.
Portola spent the entire first half gasping for air against a vicious Samohi defense that refused to give up an inch. Kicker Grey Broderick stroked a 30-yard field goal through the uprights, and Glowacki iced the first half by reconnecting with Blake on a 36-yard TD strike to send Samohi into the locker room riding a cozy 24-0 cushion.
When the Bulldogs scored early in the third quarter to show a flicker of life, Samohi speedster Estevan Padron snatched their hearts out. Padron fielded a Portola punt and took off like he was shot out of a cannon, slicing through the coverage team for a thrilling 42-yard house call to blow the margin back out to 30-8.
Glowacki put the final nail in the coffin in the fourth quarter, delivering his third TD strike of the night on a 30-yard rainbow to Chandler Paysinger. For good measure, Padron snared a late interception to slam the door shut and start the party.
With the win, the Vikings advance to a second-round matchup with the Santiago Sharks, who earned their trip to the quarterfinals by knocking off Elsinore 31-14.
- Samohi blows past Portola for 37-15 CIF playoff victory - November 6, 2026
- Samohi Theatre goes wild with ‘Lord of the Flies’ - November 6, 2026
- St. Monica Prep star QB Bradley Cassier talks faith, family and football - November 5, 2026