PATRIOTS MARCH OVER WOUNDED SULTANS

By David Dickens
Updated: September 1, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CHRISTIAN 48, SANTANA 7

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON (8-31-2018) – Forecasted prior to kickoff by the PPR and ECS to be the game of the week – after all both teams were undefeated coming off impressive wins – the Christian High versus Santana High matchup at Valley Stadium on Friday night had a late scratch from the playbill.

As pre-game workouts began for both participants, quarterback NATHAN TEMPLE was not taking warm up snaps or participating in preparation at all.

It has been widely reported that Temple suffered a broken collarbone in the third quarter of the Sultans’ win over Serra last week.

In addition to Temple, the second-string quarterback had also had some issues physically after an injury incurred during a scrimmage.

As for the Sultans’ need of a starting quarterback, the pigskin was handed to senior SEAN IVERSON, who would typically be playing as a wide receiver and defensive back.

Also questionable for kick off would be “Mr. Special Teams“ COLTON SNIPES.

Snipes not only handles business with his athleticism, but also the attitude and the take charge approach that fires up his squad to help overcome any adversity that shall arise in a football game.

The host Patriots got to work immediately as they forced a three-and-out with pressure up the middle.

Christian started off with a great balance of run and pass on the first series, as the Patriots drove down to the 3-yard line.

After a Patriots’ players had to be carried off the field, as play resumed, the Patriots would score on a 3-yard burst through multiple tacklers to go ahead 7-0 after quarterback OWEN EASLEY scored. The kick was up and good, 7-0 Patriots with 8:05 left early in the 1st quarter.

During the touchdown run by Easley, Santana star IAN LITTEN was injured and was down for a bit. He was taken to the hospital with a serious ankle injury. The Sultans have now suffered major injuries to two of their key players.

Santana would continue to pound the ball on the ground, a wise idea with a back up quarterback that had not taken many snaps prior.

The Patriots’ pass rush and the ability to plug the running lanes made for a very long night for the visiting Sultans.

Christian was not done by any means, scoring that is.

None other than Easley, breaking tackles and running down the left sideline, scored on a 55-yard scamper. The Kick was up and good, 14-0 Pats with 7:04 left in the first quarter.

Although BROOKS MOUTAW had some impressive runs for Santana, the defensive line of the Patriots controlled the trenches.

The Patriot offense continued to score.

ALEX GONZALEZ decided he wanted to get in on the action to add a score. The kick was up and good, making it 21-0 Patriots at the end of the first quarter.

With Christian threatening to score again, JARED FORSTER was playing corner and had enough of the Patriots scoring at will, as he jumped up in the corner of the end zone with 9:31 left to play in the second quarter and made the
interception, the first Easley had thrown in nine quarters.

“Forster came in and made an impact with the two interceptions and punted when Snipes couldn’t,” said Santana Head coach TIM ESTES. “Snipes will be fine, he had been sick this week and cramping due to dehydration.”

“Those interceptions are 100 percent on me,” Easley said. “I need to put my whole trust into my receivers and believe that they are going to make the play, and I feel I didn’t do that tonight. Mistakes come with playing.

“We just have to come out next week wanting to fix them and get better and we will be OK. Gonzo did really well, he always adds something extra that the other team has to worry about.”

Christian would score again on a 22-yard scamper by Gonzalez. The kick was good to make it 28-0 at the
half.

However, Forster would make another impressive leap in front of the Christian receiver to stymie another Patriots threat to score at the end of the first half.

“I feel our team is improving each week,” said Forster. “This last week our secondary worked hard on pressing the receiver one on one and also studying their routes. It was definitely a tough game but I believe this will motivate our
team to bounce back even stronger.

“I felt our whole team played solid especially on the defensive side. I didn’t make any huge plays, but stayed consistent and did what the team needed me to do,” said Patriot JUSTIN ROEHL.

Santana did go on to score but the Patriots came out victorious, 48-7.

The Patriots (3-0) will now host the equally tough, Monte Vista Monarchs (3-0), who are averaging 40 points a game.

These two teams will Battle at Granite Hills High next Friday at 7 p.m.

The Sultans (2-1), will lick their wounds, literally, and head up to face Clairemont (0-3) at Clairemont at 7 p.m.