Oceanside CA— It was Senior Night at El Camino High School as the Wildcats 5-4 overall, 2-3 in league, played host to the Carlsbad Lancers(4-5, 1-5).
The Wildcats got on the board with their first possession settling for a field goal when their drive stalled on the Carlsbad 12-yard-line. The Lancers answered on their first possession when senior kicker, Tyler Francis hit from 47 yards out.
The Wildcats would build a 17-3 lead on QB Jayden Casey’s 3-yard run around the right side and a Casey to Malachi Russell 45-yard touchdown pass.
The Lancers would close to within 7 on Luke Armstrong’s 73-yard touchdown run.
El Camino would answer right back two plays later when Chris Brown bolted up the middle for a 53 yard score and a 24-10 lead at the half.
In the second half, Luke Armstrong would score again and the Lancers would capitalized on a Wildcat turnover when Troy Bloomquist hit Noah Vella for the touchdown to knot up the score at 24, early in the 4th quarter.
With just over 8 minutes to go in the game, Carlsbad would drive from deep in their own territory and take the football down to the Wildcats 14 yard line, chewing up the clock along the way. From there with 2:36 to go in the game, the Lancers would go for it on 4th and one. Bloomquist handed the football off to Luke Armstrong who was immediately stuffed in the backfield by Rocky Katoanga and the Wildcats took over on downs.
Running the two-minute drill to perfection, Jayden Casey engineered an 86-yard drive capped off by a Chris Brown touchdown run for the win.
Up next for the Wildcats is the City Championship game when the travel across town to take on the Pirates who fell last night to La Costa Canyon(6-3, 3-2) 21-0. With the loss, the Pirates drop to 3-6 overall and 0-5 in league play.
The Lancers will host Vista(3-6,2-4), who fell to Westview(5-4,3-2), 17-7, next Friday night.
La Costa Canyon will visit Torrey Pines(6-3, 3-2) who’s upset bid of Mission Hills(9-0,5-0) fell just short when they went for the win instead of a tie but failed on the two-point conversion. Final score, 23-24.
Mission Hills will host cross-town rival San Marcos(8-1,4-1) 38-7 winners over Mt. Carmel.
Other scores:
RBV- 6
San Pasqual- 48
Ribet-8
Army-Navy 39
Santa Fe Christian- 45
La Jolla Country Day- 21
Escondido- 14
Valley Center- 43