The California Division 3A State Championship was an Instant Classic and came down to the final play in Overtime to settle the score. Vanden from Fairfield defeated Rio Hondo Prep 42-41 after the Kares were stopped at the 1 yard line on their 2 Point Conversion attempt. The game featured countless lead changes and was full of drama. Vanden threw the ball all over the field while Rio Hondo ran wild inside and outside. Both contrasting styles of offense scored 35 points in regulation were the only teams out of the 15 State Matchups this weekend that went to OT. Head Coach Mark Carson joins us for one final time to recap a truly heroic effort from his team that unfortunately ended in heartbreak. It’s difficult to say goodbye at the end of a season, but we will do our best to thank countless people as we wrap up the third season of the Charge To Keep podcast. Thanks to all of Rio Hondo Prep past, present, and future for always being humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Merry Christmas to all and may you continue to Dream On……

Rio Hondo Prep has won 16 Southern Section Titles throughout its illustrious history. On Saturday night at Long Beach City College, the 2024 Kares (13-1) will compete for a chance to capture its first ever State Championship and will do so against the Vanden Vikings (12-2) who are making the long trip down from Northern California. Both teams are riding 8 game winning streaks and are polar opposites on the Offensive side of the ball. The Vikings love to throw it; the Kares love to run it. These two very different styles will collide on Saturday at Veterans Stadium for a 7:00pm Kickoff to see whose brand of ball can shine brightest in the Golden State. Getting us ready for RHP playing on their biggest stage ever is our guest Casey Clevenger. He played in Rio's first ever Southern Section Final back in 1972 and has been a Teacher there for countless decades while keeping a close eye on the football program he loves dearly.

Rio Hondo Prep overcame some significant adversity early on in Saturday night's Division 3A Regional down in San Diego. The Kares were tied with the host Poway Titans 7-7 at Halftime and eventually pulled away for a 28-14 gritty victory to advance to the school's first State Championship Game in their illustrious history. Rio Hondo is one of only thirty teams in California that get to play football next week out of nearly 1,300 schools in the Golden State. Head Coach Mark Carson recaps the emotional win and how his team continues to answer the bell with every challenge set before them. We also have Junior DB Calogero Chico on the show who made a few huge plays for a Rio defense that continued their rough and tough performance throughout this memorable Postseason.