CHULA VISTA— As Paisios Polamalu goes, the St. Augustine offense goes. It’s been that wayall year. It’d be no different in the opening round of the CIF DI Playoffs.

Behind a six-touchdown evening from the junior running back, St. Augustine cruised to a 45-20opening-round victory over No.9 seed Grossmont High School.

“Pai played an amazing game. But, to help him get the ball or get the first five yards of a run, wedid a great job winning in the trenches all night,” said St. Augustine coach Ron Caragher.

The visiting Foothillers took control of the game in its early stages of Friday nights match-up.With running back Corbin Dow finding pay dirt twice in the first quarter and helping Grossmont jump outto an early 12-3 lead.

After going three and out with their first possession and stalling in the red zone on their seconddrive, the St. Augustine’s offense found its rhythm in the second quarter.

Polamalu kicked started the comeback with a 22-yard rushing touchdown. Drawing things to aone-score game at 12-9 with 9:44 left in the half.

“Our offensive line kept giving me opportunities all night,” said St. Augustine running backPaisios Polamalu, “We’ve learned not to quit. Our game against La Jolla a few weeks ago was a biglearning lesson for us, because we saw that even if we were down, the game is never over.”

Following the score, the St. Augustine defense came up with a critical stop. Forcing a turnoverown downs on their own 42-yard line.

On the third play of the ensuing St. Augustine drive, Saints dialed up a trick play. Calling ahalfback pass, with Polamalu hitting Cooper Hamric connecting on a 45-yard pitch and catch. Setting upan instant red zone opportunity.

A few plays later, Polamalu punched it in from three yards out. Putting St. Augustine ahead, forthe first time on the night, 17-12. For good measure, the running added one more score before the half.Capping the half with a one-yard rushing TD, and handing Saints a 24-12 halftime lead.

“Each time this season, when we have dug a hole for ourselves, we have come roaring back.That’s why tonight is such a great team win.” Said Caragher.

Returning from the break, Grossmont drew things back to a one-score game. With quarterbackTyler Homes hitting wideout Randy Ballard for a 54-yard touchdown on the half’s opening drive andmaking it a 24-20 game.

It’d be the closest Grossmont would get over the remaining 22 minutes of action.

St. Augustine scored on three of its final four possessions of the game. That included a 67-yardtouchdown pass, on a critical third and eight, from Vince Smith to Polamalu. An eventual game-icing 80-yard touchdown run from Polamalu to make it 45-20 game.

Along with his six total touchdowns on the night, Polamalu would also log two second-halfinterceptions.

“As an offensive line, we always take pride in the running game. If we don’t rush for over 100yards a game, we think it’s an off night,” said St. Augustine offensive linemen Marcel Sandoval. “Wecommunicated well all night. We always hold one another to a high standard.

St. Augustine, 45 Grossmont, 20

St. Augustine — 3 21 7 14 45Grossmont — 12 0 8 0 20

GHS— C. Dow 4 rush (2pt failed)CHS— C. Dow 3 rush (2pt failed)ST— C. Moore 35 KickST— P. Polamalu 22 rush ( C. Moore Kick)ST— P. Polamalu 3 rush (C. Moore Kick)ST— P. Polamalu 5 rush (C. Moore Kick)GHS— R. Ballard 54 pass from T. Holmes (Holmes rush)ST— P. Polamalu 5 rush (C. Moore Kick)ST— P. Polamalu 67 pass from V. Smith (C. Moore Kick)ST— P. Polamalu 80 rush (C. Moore)