Patriots take win back down the 8

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CHRISTIAN 41, EL CAPITAN 6

 

EastCountySports.com

 

LAKESIDE – The distance from Christian High School to El Capitan High School is 7.3 miles.

The Patriots and Vaqueros were separated by 35 points on Friday night.

Both teams learned more about themselves.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Patriots assistant coach DAVID BEEZER said. “Our effort was excellent and we will get better executing as the season goes on. Our veteran defense was stingy tonight. A good run tonight to start the season.”

The Patriots took advantage of El Capitan miscues early, including a recovery of a muffed punt by BRYCE RIEPL near midfield.

Riepl finished off the ensuing drive, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead.

Moments later, the Patriots’ Owen Easley rushed in from close range on a sneak for a 12-0 edge.

“That was a great start for us and we got really lucky,” Easley said. “Defense did more than just their part all night but we still have a lot to work on offense

In the second quarter, Javier Jimenez took a toss and rushed in for a 15-yard touchdown. Easley took in the two-point conversion himself and the Patriots were up 20-0.

Riepl had a tackle for loss (one of his three in the game) in the second quarter as the Pats held a possession, and Jimenez ended up converting scoring drive with a 9-yard touchdown run as El Cap led by 26 at intermission.

Jimenez led the Patriots with 81 yards on the ground.

“Our offensive line did really well today,” Easley said. “Our passing game needs some work starting with me and what I’m reading but it’ll all get worked out.”

• Photo gallery of the Christian – El Capitan game from the East County Herald’s Rob Riingen

Easley finished 12-for-20 for 152 yards.

“We knew that we have talented running backs and that we could use their speed to beat the defense,” Easley said. “I think that was always something we knew we could rely on.

“I think our whole defense deserves a shoutout, especially CODY BOSTIAN and Bryce Riepl.”

In the third, Vaquero quarterback Wick Hauser hit Yaphet Yokley for a quick pass that the speedster turned into a 57-yard score. El Capitan amassed 148 yards through the air.

Gonzalez returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards, shedding a couple of shoulder tacklers along the way.

“We came into the game ready for a battle but we brought a war with us,” Gonzalez said,  “We knew it was going to be tough to stop them but our team has a lot of heart and we came out to every play confident and ready to do what we do.“

Gonzalez also had six receptions for 90 yards.

“I feel that our team tonight really set the bar high for the rest of the season and we definitely have a target on our back now,” Gonzalez said. “We just had to fight and have the determination to be on top tonight.”

Riepl also had an interception and long return late in the fourth.

“Christian capitalized on our early mistakes and that took the heart out of us,” El Capitan head coach RON BURNER said. “They are a veteran defense and we were young. We will get better.”

Next week, El Capitan will face Mater Dei Catholic, while Christian will be traveling up the California coast to play King’s Academy, of Sunnyvale.

“To win next week we need to come out and execute better and not have as many mistakes overall,” Easley said.

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