Those who where lucky enough to be at the hip confines of Devore stadium got to witness one of the top performances of the 2018 season as Shawn Poma led the Cathedral Dons to a 28-17 victory over the Torrey Pines Falcons. Whether he was running by or through Falcons, Poma put up massive numbers for the stat sheets with his 173 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns to win their 2nd San Diego CIF Open Championship in 3 years.

His athletic journey began as a toddler when the San Diego native got his first taste of organized sports with the game of baseball, and within a few short years he would start competing in football and track and field. Synchronized with power and speed this was the transition that ultimately started the blueprint for Shawn Poma’s accomplishments, elite athlete and Cathedral Catholic Don.

After a successful freshman showing at Cathedral Catholic, Poma was led straight to legendary Coach Sean Doyle’s varsity squad the following season. And you couldn’t have authored a better season as a rookie than Poma did during the 2016 season. It was a magical season both individually and as a team.

His individual accolades were plentiful, beginning with his 1,338 yds rushing (8.7 YPC) combined with 19 touchdowns. In the air he grabbed 3 more touchdowns and added 292 yards splitting double teams and running past eager defenders. With the 5’9”, 195 Lb running back punishing the score board, linked with the team’s stellar defensive play, the 2016 Dons went undefeated with an unblemished 15-0 record, and completing their extraordinary season with an electric victory over St. Mary’s (Stockton) for the D1-AA State Bowl Championships.

With momentum spilling over from the following season, the seasoned veteran was ready to continue on Part II of the Poma Blueprint. But the diagram took a turn for the worse as he injured his knee in the season opener against Del Oro High School. Blessed with an inherent toughness in mind and body, Poma managed to play two more games with a meniscus tear lingering in each of his powerful cuts and speed bursts on the gridiron. Missing the next 9 games was a turning point for the defending CIF champs, and his absence took its toll on the Dons as they finished with a disappointing 5-7 record.

With all season ending injuries, the rehab process can be a critical adjustment.” Anyone who has ever suffered an injury like this can attest to the mental and physical challenges. The mental being the most significant,” explained his father Poma Sr. “Shawn responded like a champion. Shawn worked often 7-days per week, including many countless Friday and Saturday nights in the gym. As the season drew near, he spent the later half of rehab working with trainer Charleston De La Cruz of Fitness Quest -10 in Scripps Ranch.”

And the football field has become his playground once again in 2018 as he has stockpiled 19 touchdowns and 1395 yards both on land and air during the regular season and 361 yards rushing topped with 6 touchdowns during the playoffs.

As the San Diego CIF Open champions Dons (11-1) wait one more week until the Southern Section regional seeds are set in place against possible opponents Rancho Verde, Upland or Narbonne (who they defeated in 2016 section regional playoffs) the Dons are continuing to prepare and you can rest a sure that Shawn Poma will continue to follow his Blueprint…..

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SDFNL ALL STAR GAME DEC 22nd LocationTBD

Cathedral Shawn Poma - Can't be stopped.

Tommy Gutierrez @TommyG___ SDFNL Contributer

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