Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 271

49ers make moves with Nick Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga, Jordan Mason, Aaron Banks

SANTA CLARA — Safety Talanoa Hufanga is cleared to return to the 49ers’ embattled defense as soon as Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Missing from that defense for a third straight game, however, will be defensive end Nick Bosa, who was downgraded to out on Saturday because of a lingering oblique injury. Bosa has not practiced the past three weeks, nor has left tackle Trent Williams, who was ruled out Friday by the 49ers (5-7).

Left guard Aaron Banks will miss a second straight game because of a concussion, as he’s been downgraded from questionable to out

While Hufanga was officially activated off the injured reserve list, the 49ers moved running back Jordan Mason (ankle) and special-teams ace George Odum (knee) onto IR.

Hufanga, a 2022 All-Pro, has played in only two games this season: the Week 3 loss at the Los Angeles Rams upon his recovery from anterior cruciate ligament repair, and just 11 snaps into the Week 5 loss against the Arizona Cardinals before exiting with torn wrist ligaments.

Hufanga’s return to practice brought much needed energy, as did that of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who is expected to be activated off Injured Reserve for Thursday’s game against the Rams.

Hufanga is expected to play with a protective cast over his right wrist. “He’ll be able to catch it. If it’s close, he’ll catch it. He’s a playmaker,” defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said of Hufanga’s potential for interceptions.

As for reinforcements, the 49ers promoted offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez to the active roster from the practice squad, where running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn and linebacker Jalen Graham got elevated from Saturday.

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Vaughn adds depth to a running back unit led by probable first-time starter Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Israel Abanikanda, in the wake of last Sunday’s injuries to Mason and Christian McCaffrey (knee; Injured Reserve).

Operation Christmas Cheer: From being hopeless, to giving hope

SEASIDE >> Years ago, J Koebel was a performer in New York working in comedy when he “got kind of swallowed up in the drugs and alcohol.

“I was an everything addict. It started with coke and heroin, and then it just went bonkers after that,” he said.

After a hard struggle with addiction, he met someone who had connections with the Salvation Army and referred him to the organization’s rehabilitation program in Southern California. He flew across the country intending to only complete six months of the program before returning to New York. “God had something else in mind,” he said.

About 20 years later, J is still in California, involved with the organization and has dedicated his life to helping people in situations similar to what he was in. He is now a Salvation Army officer and administrator along with his wife Ashley Koebel. The pair help run the Seaside Salvation Army Operations.

J Koebel’s story is similar to that of the hundreds of people the Salvation Army has helped locally with money raised by Operation Christmas Cheer, a fundraising project sponsored by 1st Capital Bank, The Herald and the Salvation Army. Since 1985, it has raised more than $2.6 million, which has been distributed to needy Monterey County families and individuals during the holidays.

The Herald’s role is to tell the stories of some of the folks the money raised has helped and some of the frontline workers, like Ashley Koebel, who have aided the cause.

Ashley Koebel grew up watching her parents do the same work she’s doing now. She originally went to college and studied to be a business lawyer, but soon realized she “wanted to change the world.”

Through working with the Salvation Army herself as a young adult, she saw “there’s tremendous opportunity for good … people trust us because we’ve been doing this for a long time and doing it faithfully for a long time,” she said. “I enjoy doing this work. This is where I feel like I should be in life.”

While he was in the rehabilitation program, J Koebel was required to journal every day. He still has his journal and describes himself during the first 90 days as a “wreck.” On the 90th day, “I literally (write), ‘I’m starting to see a little glimmer of hope.’”

This hope is what the Koebel’s think is one the nonprofit’s greatest strengths. “That is where the faith-based part comes in and can speak to people,” said Ashley Koebel. “It can provide hope for people when maybe the outside situation won’t change so quickly, but to have the mindset of knowing, ‘all right, there is hope for me. I’m a valued human being who is important on this planet.’”

Since making the move to the Peninsula from Los Angeles this past summer, the main thing the couple have noticed about the area is the community’s willingness to give.

“It’s pretty amazing that with all the nonprofits on the Peninsula, that people support so many of them,” said J Koebel. “We’re excited to help give the Peninsula maybe even a bigger and broader understanding of what the Salvation Army does, because I think it surprises people.”

The Salvation Army is widely-known for its Red Kettles and Angel Trees programs, which help support families with food, shelter and utilities, as well as provide Christmas presents for children, but the organization has year-round support for families and individuals.

People in need look to the Salvation Army for transitional housing, food pantries, rehabilitation programs, disaster relief, veteran services, job training as well as spiritual services.

Since the Monterey Peninsula Corps chapter of the Salvation Army opened in 1895, “someone has shown up to work, tried to help people who are in need and that has just gone on for so many years,” said Ashley Koebel.

“Now, because of each person who had an opportunity to be here doing their best, we have a lot of really cool programs that can help a lot of people,” she said.

The Koebels believe everyone who encounters the Salvation Army, whether that be volunteers or clients, get something special out of the experience.

“Of course, it’s a safety net for the people who are in need. But I think there’s also something sort of given to the people who are giving, where you can feel really good that you’re making an impact on someone’s life, even through the little choices you make,” said Ashley Koebel.

“Being that hope, is where I just come back to,” said J Koebel. “I think if people take a moment to give, whether it be time or something physical like gifts, it does something for you. You feel like you’re part of something bigger.”

 

Run Rudolph Run: Running, walking, skipping to raise awareness and funds for arthritis research

When it came to walking and general mobility, Colin Dowse was a late bloomer. He was 3, nearly 4, when he learned to walk, having scooted around until then, on his behind. By the time he was 6 years old, he walked with an obvious limp. He didn’t run around and play tag or participate in sports. He complained of aches and pains in his joints. All of which was alienating for the child and tormenting for his parents.

“My family took me out of school quite a bit,” said Dowse, 19. “I’d see specialist after specialist, but we got no information about what was going on.”

The Carmel Valley native was 13 when a pediatric rheumatologist did an MRI and diagnosed him with Ankylosing Spondylitis — a form of arthritis localized to his lower spine and pelvis — reportedly one of the most painful forms of arthritis there is.

Carmel Valley native Colin Dowse. (Courtesy photo)

“The idea of arthritis in a kid seemed absurd, but it’s actually not super rare. I began taking Humera injections, and in the course of one week, I went from a lifetime experience of not being able to walk without pain, plus a noticeable limp and sleepless nights, to having it almost vanish,” said Dowse, who is currently a film major at Boston’s Emerson College.

Raising a child unable to run around with other kids, who struggled to climb up into the school bus and who could not play sports in middle school had been heartbreaking for his mom, Loree Dowse, who wanted her son to experience a typical, active, engaged childhood.

“We were so relieved to get a diagnosis for Colin,” she said, “because now we had a name for it and a protocol — a way forward. While there are risks to taking biologic drugs like Humera, cancer being one of them, we decided in favor of giving Colin a quality of life. His mobility went from being almost none to being able to run, ride a bike, be active and engaged in the world.”

Nearly four years ago, Colin Dowse’s grandmother, Karen Curtis, mindful of her grandson and others like him, cofounded the Arthritis Research Coalition. Since then, the Coalition has raised more than $1 million, says the Salinas resident, which has been donated to the Stanford Immunology and Rheumatology Research Labs and The Russell/Engleman Rheumatology Research Center at UCSF.

“Our Scientific Advisory Committee, consisting of leading local orthopedists and rheumatologists,” said Curtis, “approves and monitors funding for research that sheds new light on how the disease develops, so they can identify remedies that can impact its progress. There are many different forms of arthritis; it takes a village to address this. That we have two world-class research labs in our back yard drives us to support them, knowing we can make a difference.”

Running for those who can’t

On Dec. 14, the Arthritis Research Coalition will host its fourth-annual “Run Rudolph Run” walk/run to raise funds and awareness via an active-outdoors celebration of the season. Starting at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove, the event will progress on a 3.1-mile “approved-distance” out-and-back course along the Recreation Trail flanking the Monterey Bay.

The Arthritis Research Coalition (ARC), was established by Jim Fuqua, Karen Curtis, and Janeen Tuitupou after the National Arthritis Foundation removed its local presence. Before that, the organization had been sponsoring the annual Jingle Bell Run in the same location.

“Once we established the ARC, we brought back the community fundraising event as ‘Run Rudolph Run,’ a fun family event that hosts, in addition to the 5K, a 1K Elf Run for little kids to run their own race, escorted by elves,” said Fuqua, whose daughter was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in her 20s.

“The only treatment back then was to inject gold into veins to help mitigate pain and foster joint mobility,” Fuqua said. “It sounds like quackery, but it was the standard treatment at the time. Today, biologic drugs like Humera have made a huge difference for people with arthritis, which is precisely why we need to continue to fund research.”

Run Rudolph, Run, typically attracts more than 1,000 participants, most clad in holiday attire. The Shinsho-Mugen Daiko Taiko Drummers and Pat DuVal, the legendary “Singing Sheriff,” add rhythm and song to the run. Register for the family- and dog-friendly event at https://arthritisresearchcoalition.org/rrr .  Folks also may register on-site on race day.

If you go
What: Run Rudolph, Run 5k run/walk for the Arthritis Research Coalition

Where: Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

To participate visit https://arthritisresearchcoalition.or...

Finley finishes first football season on the field at Stephen F. Austin

Former Palma and Monterey Peninsula College defensive end Joey Finley saw action in six of the Stephen F. Austin football team’s 12 games this year.

A redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-5, 242-pound lineman collected seven tackles, including his first sack for Stephen F. Austin, who finished the season 7-5.

Finley recorded a sack for an eight-yard loss against McNeese State, and finished with four tackles against Northern Colorado. He also had a quarterback hurry.

The conferences Defensive Most Valuable Player during his freshman season at MPC in 2022, Finley led the state in sacks with 17, earning a scholarship to Stephen F. Austin.

Finley spent time as a defensive end / tight end at Palma, earning all-county honors on defense. He also played basketball and baseball for the Chieftains.

PHOTOS: Carmel High celebrates NorCal football title

Carmel High School football coach Golden Anderson holds the title plaque aloft after the Padres defeated Acalanes for the Northern California Division 5AA title on Friday at Monterey Peninsula College. Carmel will face El Capitan High School of Lakeside in the state title game. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Carmel football coach Golden Anderson hands the Northern California Division 5AA title plaque to Padre senior Ty Arnold during postgame ceremonies on Friday night. Carmel earned a spot in the state title game after a 42-41 win over Acalanes. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Carmel back Dylan Hinds gains yardage in the second quarter of Friday's Northern California Division 5AA title game at Monterey Peninsula College. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Matt Maxon catches a pass from Hudson Rutherford for a first down in the first half Friday night. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Carmel quarterback Hudson Rutherford finds running room up the middle in the first half. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Camel’s Ashton Rees fights for yardage in the second half of Friday’s Northern California Division 5AA title game. The Padres earned a berth in the state title game with a 42-41 win over Acalanes at Monterey Peninsula College. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Carmel High’s Ty Arnold tiptoes along the sideline as he follows the block of Simeon Brown in the first quarter of Friday’s Northern California Division 5AA title game at Monterey Peninsula College. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

Carmel’s Jackson Lloyd and Hiroki Cole bring down Acalanes’ Joshua Elert in the first quarter. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

The Carmel medical staff assists Ashton Rees off the field after Rees suffered a sprained toe in the second quarter of Friday’s Northern California Division 5AA title game. Rees scored four touchdowns on the night in the Padres’ 42-41 win over Acalanes. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

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Carmel High School football coach Golden Anderson holds the title plaque aloft after the Padres defeated Acalanes for the Northern California Division 5AA title on Friday at Monterey Peninsula College. Carmel will face El Capitan High School of Lakeside in the state title game. (Donald Fukui -- Herald Correspondent)

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Top 10 girls’ soccer rankings

Top 10 girls’ soccer rankings

1. Salinas:

2. Alvarez:

3. Hollister:

4. Aptos:

5. Rancho San Juan:

6. Soledad:

7. Soquel:

8. Scotts Valley:

9. York:

10. North County:

On the bubble: Pajaro Valley, Monte Vista, Watsonville, Monterey, Alisal.

Draymond Green accepts bench role to help Warriors elevate Kuminga

SAN FRANCISCO — When Steve Kerr called Draymond Green to float the idea of bringing him off the bench in an effort to try to optimize ascending wing Jonathan Kuminga, the head coach needed to ask permission.

Of course he was OK with it, Green told Kerr. Like he is when he has to guard bruising centers and play through injuries, he’ll do anything he can to help the Warriors win.

“I’ve been one of (Kuminga’s) biggest fans since he got here,” Green said. “So if he has an opportunity to start, you can’t be hypocritical. If they’re like, ‘We want him to start, but it’ll be for you,’ you can’t be like, ‘nah, not for me. That don’t work.’ I’m a fan of his. I want him to do well. So if his opportunity goes through me, it is what it is. And he earned the opportunity.”

In a season of Steve Kerr searching for lineup combinations that work, the latest development is an experiment that removes Green, a future Hall of Famer who will get a statue outside Chase Center, from the starting lineup.

Kerr’s starters on Friday were Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and Kuminga. The coach wants to give that lineup “a look,” though an injury to Andrew Wiggins could spike it on arrival. The plan, assuming Wiggins is available after leaving Friday night’s game with an ankle injury, is to have Green come off the bench, close halves and play bursts as a small-ball center. At least for the near future.

It’s more of a bet on Kuminga than it is a tweak to get Green leading the second unit.

Kuminga, who matched his career-high with 32 points in a Thursday night upset over Houston, earned the chance to start at power forward. He successfully ran pick-and-rolls to close out Houston, and the team wants to feature him more offensively with sets and by putting the ball in his hands.

“For us to be good — you saw it in the Houston game, you’ve seen flashes — we need him to be the best version of himself,” Curry said. “We have to be able to figure out, whether it’s play calls, whether it’s certain lineup combinations, how to unlock his ability to get downhill and put pressure on the basket. He’s a big weapon for us.”

The symmetry of the decision isn’t lost on Green. His career blossomed a decade ago, when David Lee ceded his starting lineup spot to him.

“I’m a product of my vet being willing to take a backseat for me,” Green said. “So you’ve got to give back what came to you. That’s what this is about.”

Green doesn’t necessarily look at the move as a demotion, but rather an elevation of Kuminga and an admission that things need to change amid Golden State’s current skid of six losses in seven games.

“I hate losing,” Green said. “If you’ve got something that’s going to help us win, you’re not going to get an argument from me. As I’ve always said, I care about this organization. And I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, that think he’s next. So if he’s next, at some point we’ve got to see it. For him to do that, he needs the opportunity.”

Even though he has come off the bench before in his career, Green admitted that he wouldn’t have been willing to move to the bench like this earlier in his career.

“Absolutely not,” he said. That suggests the decision could be less temporary than it appears on its face.

“It shows professionalism, it shows his commitment to us trying to figure out what rotations work, what lineups work,” Curry said of Green’s willingness to come off the bench.

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Green has always cared about the Warriors organization, and said that he wants to come back in 10 years and see Kuminga holding the mantle. He believes the fourth-year wing is capable of doing so, and allowing him to start instead of him for a stretch could provide proof of concept of that.

Kuminga has come off the bench for most of the season and hasn’t publicly complained about his role, though it’s no secret that starting is important to him. Perhaps more apt than starting, though, is his minute total and how the team uses him. Kerr’s read-and-react system doesn’t always highlight Kuminga’s blow-by ability and penchant for scoring in isolation.

Starting Kuminga and possibly running more offense through him should put him in more comfortable positions on the court.

“It’s time for that for sure, because we haven’t had results otherwise,” Curry said. “So we’ve got to lean into that. It might not go well every night, but that’s what we’re trying to build.”

Curry said the “DNA” of the team right now needs to revolve around sacrifice. Golden State has used 13 different starting lineups in 22 games, asking almost every player to take on roles that could change on a nightly basis.

Green accepting such a role, even if he doesn’t view it as taking a back seat, sets a tone throughout the locker room. Just like Lee did for the first title team 10 years ago.

“I think it’s a great deal of maturity,” Podziemski told this news organization. “I think he and Steve are probably on the same page of what the vision is and what he sees from that. For him to do that, he could probably step in and say, ‘No, I don’t want to.’ But he’s a mature veteran, has always been about what’s best for the team. Him doing that shows us young guys that, ‘Hey, if you have to come off the bench, whether it’s now or later in our careers, he’s a prime example of it. He’s handling it like a pro like he always does.”

Horoscopes Dec. 7, 2024: Ellen Burstyn, keep your thoughts and secrets to yourself

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Emily Browning, 36; C. Thomas Howell, 58; Tom Waits, 75; Ellen Burstyn, 92.

Happy Birthday: Keep your thoughts and secrets to yourself. Being a good listener will help you decipher what others want and alert you when trouble is brewing. Your best opportunities will come from research, experience and being resourceful. Put your energy into looking and feeling your best through healthy eating habits, exercise and saying no to excessive temptations you encounter this year. Be good to yourself. Romance is in the stars. Your numbers are 6, 17, 24, 27, 30, 38, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put your energy where it counts and do something gratifying and helpful. Making a difference will encourage you to find alternative outlets for your skills, experience and knowledge. Discussing your ideas will lead to exciting opportunities. Participation will promote a positive lifestyle change and new friendships. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Proceed with caution. Your dedication and desire to do what’s helpful can lead to health risks. Weigh the pros and cons before you put yourself in harm’s way. Your best efforts will come from working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Keep your money and possessions safe. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be leery of people who ask for too much. Choose to enforce your rights and focus your efforts toward something that concerns you. A partnership will need monitoring and boundaries that ensure your privacy is not infringed. Be blunt and avoid discrepancies. A new look will lead to compliments. Romance is favored. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Consider your options, check out what’s available and don’t procrastinate when you require change to move forward. Embrace new beginnings and choose to use your experience to get ahead. Learn from your mistakes and refuse to let your emotions stand in your way. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Listen to proposals carefully. Analyze the potential outcomes based on your next move and determine if you want to put in the effort required or move forward alone. Socialize, network and engage in conversations that offer insight into something or someone of interest. Love and romance look inviting. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll be drawn to unique characters who offer a different perspective on life, love and how to achieve happiness. Learn all you can and consider what might work well for you. Your aim should be stability, not venturing down a path that promises chaos and uncertainty. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take the guessing out of the equation and speak frankly about your vision and what you expect of others. Home improvements and getting ready for the festive season will put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy what you’ve accomplished. Entertain someone you love. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Finish what you start, or you may face criticism from someone you live with or are close to. Hold up your end of the bargain and follow through with promises. Don’t take risks leading to insult, injury or poor health. Change begins with you, so decipher what you want and commence. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Avoid debating with someone who lies, cheats or doesn’t listen. Your time is valuable, and aligning yourself with people who share your beliefs is best. Create opportunities that are fruitful and fulfilling. The time, energy and input you devote will make a difference. Romance is favored. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Initiate a move, put a budget in place and make plans to close the year, leaving what you no longer want in your life behind you. Consider how you earn your living, handle your cash and whom you share expenses with, and make the appropriate suggestions to eliminate controversy. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Acclimate to whatever situation you encounter. Observe, and you’ll discover the best way to respond so that the outcome will favor what you want to see happen. Peace and love are within reach, and a positive change to your appearance or how you handle others will pay off. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Too much of anything will work against you. Limit how much you spend, the promises you make and the amount you indulge. Focus on personal change, not trying to change others or allowing others to lead you down a path that doesn’t suit your agenda. Be true to yourself. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are wise, helpful and flexible. You are enthusiastic and attentive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Carmel heading to state football championships after narrow victory

MONTEREY >> Simeon Brown struggled to catch his breath. Perhaps it was the tackle he had just delivered to end the game at the 1-yard line that had him gasping for air. Or maybe the emotion of the moment was overwhelming.

“I saw the tailback come through and try and lead block,” said the Carmel High defensive back, still fighting to catch his breath. “I saw the quarterback come through the gap and I just filled it. I’m just excited. We’re going to state.”

Brown’s tackle on an attempted 2-point conversation Friday sent the Carmel sideline into a frenzy as the Padres are headed to the State Division 5AA football title game after a wild 42-41 win over Acalanes of Lafayette in the Northern California championship game at Monterey Peninsula College.

“This feels really good,” tailback Ashton Rees said. “Especially with this team, with these guys. I never thought this would happen. It is a dream come true.”

Carmel (14-0) will become just the second team in Monterey County to play for a state title when its faces El Capitan of Lakeside (near San Diego) — 33-19 winners over Silverado — in the Division 5AA championship at 8 p.m. Friday at Fullerton Union High School District Stadium.

Last year Palma became the first football program in the county to win a state title when it defeated Mission Oak of Tulare 42-19 in the Division 4A title game.

Carmel, which beat Aptos last week to capture its first Central Coast Section title in 15 years in Division III, becomes the first football team in the county to win 14 games in a single season.

“It’s overwhelming,” Carmel coach Golden Anderson said. “This was not our goal. State is so off our radar. We’re a seasonal football program. But when we got into the tournament, we said ‘Why not? Let’s win it.'”

The Padres, who are in their fifth month of football, have earned the right to practice together for one more week, understanding that they will have gone as far as a football team can go in California.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of these kids’ lives for as much as possible,” Anderson said. “It’s a short time to begin with. I told the kids at halftime ‘I love watching you compete.’ It will be an emotional week. It is pretty emotional right now.”

Carmel, which came into the game averaging 53.2 points a game in the playoffs, opened up a 42-28 lead with 7 minutes and19 seconds left in the game on Rees’ fourth rushing touchdown of the game.

An interception by Ty Arnold gave the Padres the ball back with 6:27 left near midfield, only to see the drive fizzle and force their first punt of the game.

The defending State Division 3AA champion Dons (10-4) answered with Josh Elerts’ third touchdown of the game, then forced Carmel to punt with 1:17 left. Their offense then moved the ball to the 35-yard line with two seconds left.

With time for one desperation pass, Acalanes quarterback Tyler Winkles’ heave was intercepted, as the Paders began a celebration, only to learn holding was called on the play, creating one more opportunity.

This time Winkles connected on a short pass to Niko White, who ran through the Carmel defense for a 25-yard touchdown to get them to within a point with no time left.

“The good thing about having seniors is they don’t dwell on the last play,” Anderson said. “We talk about having short memories. We fought to the end. We went down swinging.”

Rather than play for the tie and overtime, the Dons went for the victory, where Brown came up with the biggest tackle of his career, absorbing a shot to the chest to send Winkles back a half yard, laying there as his teammates began celebrating.

“I was just hoping our guys had the ability to regroup,” Anderson said. “We didn’t have a time out. We didn’t have the ability to settle them down. Siemon came up and made a huge hit, pushed him back and finished it.”

Rees, who has evolved into arguably the Padres’ most versatile player, showed his grit after being helped to the locker room at halftime with a sprained toe.

Limping out to start the second half, the senior was limited to just running the ball, where he produced two more touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation (taking the snap from center rather than the quarterback)  in the second half, giving him 46 rushing touchdowns in his last 35 games.

“It hurts,” Rees said. “I had to battle through to help get this win for my team. All of us our hurting at the stage. Most of us are sick. It’s not just me. We all had push through.”

Rees, who was the last one to come out at halftime, ignored the pain, carrying the ball a career-high 34 times for 159 yards, providing balance to an offense that saw Arnold catch a career-high 11 passes for 128 yards.

“We just came together and pushed through,” Rees said. “Simeon coming up and making that hit. It’s a surreal moment. I got to let this sink in.”

As has been the case throughout the postseason, the Padres were forced to play from behind, tying the game at halftime with no time left on the clock when Hudson Rutherford connected with Arnold on 16-yard touchdown on fourth down.

Rutherford, who went over 3,000 passing yards for the season, completed 22 of 29 for 258 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 15 in four postseason games.

The Padres never trailed again, scoring first to open the second half when Rees went over the top of the defense for a 2-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14 with 6:27 left.

When Arnold intercepted a pass near midfield, the Padres — whose defense also got interceptions from Matt Maxon and Bennett Goldberg — appeared to have control of the game with a little over six minutes left.

“Our defense takes a lot of grief,” Anderson said. “They were not the reason we had struggles tonight. We had two possessions, a chance to finish this and I don’t even know if we had a first down.”

Anderson, who has talked about the importance of special teams all season, reiterated it after the game, praising freshman kicker Dean Briant, who was brought up to kick extra points and kickoffs after Carmel’s regular kicker was not available.

“He made every extra point,” Anderson said. “That was the difference in the game.”

Curry, Green return but Warriors flattened by relentless Timberwolves

SAN FRANCISCO — Newton’s third law of basketball injuries hurt the Warriors on Friday night in the Chase Center: every return to injury has an equal and opposite unfortunate injury.

Although both Steph Curry and Draymond Green returned from brief absences, the Warriors lost Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody during the game to ankle and knee injuries, respectively.

The ailments left Steve Kerr back to where he’s been for the past three weeks — searching for answers. The test came back and revealed the Warriors didn’t have enough shooters, nor enough playmakers to handle Minnesota’s dogged ball pressure.

The Warriors (13-9) trailed for the entirety of the final three quarters and got closed out by a defiant Anthony Edwards (30 points, nine assists) . The Warriors’ 107-90 defeat makes it six losses in their past seven games, with a rematch against the Timberwolves upcoming on Sunday.

Minnesota forced 21 Golden State turnovers and held the Warriors to below 30% shooting from deep.

The Warriors started Jonathan Kuminga at the four and brought Green — in his return from a two-game absence — off the bench.

Kuminga, though he played aggressively, failed to repeat his 33-point gem that matched his career-high from Thursday. He finished with 13 points on 15 shots.

And Green, who has come off the bench before in his career, played with a spring in his step. He went coast-to-coast for a finger roll after a smooth crossover before hitting a catch-and-shoot 3. Green registered eight points and three boards in his first seven minutes.

For all the talk of tweaking the rotation, Kerr only really adjusted the order of operations, not the operation itself. He ended up playing 13 guys, including Pat Spencer, both out of urgency and injuries.

The big change, which began before Friday night, was Curry’s minutes pattern. Instead of his traditional rotation, he again started and finished each quarter, sitting in between while staggering with Brandin Podziemski.

With or without Curry, the Warriors stumbled to start the second quarter. Golden State scored just two points and committed a slew of turnovers in the first six minutes of the period. When Kerr called a timeout at 4:42, the Wolves led, 48-35. The Warriors got outscored 17-4 over 7:18 while logging half as many made field goals (2) as turnovers (4).

The offense was so stuck, Kerr dusted off Lindy Waters III — bringing his rotation back to 12 out of desperation. Moses Moody, who may have normally gotten those minutes, exited with left knee soreness.

Rudy Gobert blew up several plays in the lane, and Naz Reid also supplied rim protection behind him. Green picked up a technical foul after Julius Randle inadvertently clocked him in the mouth with his elbow, which went uncalled.

Curry had to restrain Green to prevent further conflict. After Green’s technical, he and Gobert — the two foes — had a couple moments of tension, but none of which escalated. The Warriors went on an 11-2 run, with Green making several excellent defensive plays, to close the quarter. Even with that strong stretch, Golden State lost the frame 25-15.

Andrew Wiggins, who scored 11 first-half points, limped to the locker room two minutes into the second half. He has been dealing with a right ankle impingement that flared up on a jump stop in the paint, knocking him out after 19 minutes.

Waters, in reserve, sank a wing 3 to cap a quick 11-4 run. But Minnesota regained control as Kerr went with a lineup of Brandin Podziemski, Spencer, Waters, Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis — a combination bereft of outside shooting.

The slumping Buddy Hield watched from the bench as the lineup struggled to create, or hit, shots of any kind. The slump quelled Golden State’s momentum, though Curry drilled a step-back, buzzer-beating 3 to end the quarter on a high note.

Kyle Anderson bailed out a disgusting Warriors possession with a lefty layup, then Curry canned his third 3 to inch within three.

But Edwards ignited a 9-2 Wolves response, and the Warriors turned it over on three straight ugly possessions. Like in previous losses to the Spurs, Nets and Thunder, Golden State’s late-game offense went in the tank.

The Warriors went scoreless for four minutes as a tight game became an 18-point onslaught. Fans filed out with more than three minutes remaining, what was left of Golden State’s bench at the scorer’s table ready for mop-up duty.