Patriots bigger, faster, stronger, better than SFC

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 22, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CHRISTIAN 33, SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 10

EastCountySports.com staff report

SOLANA BEACH – Christian High senior ALEX GONZALEZ scored four touchdowns, including a 96-yard kickoff return, as the Patriots tactfully dismantled rival host Santa Fe Christian, 33-10, on Friday afternoon.

It was a complete turnaround from last year for the Pats against their long-time sectional rivals and “Gonzo” and his teammates made it look like a good time.

“We were just more prepared this year I think,” Gonzalez said. “We made huge stops on defense which translated to huge plays on offense. We just played with great effort.”

KYLE OLSEN recovered a fumble in the first quarter for CHS setting the stage for Gonzo’s first touchdown, a 13-yard run for the only score in the first quarter.

The Patriots forced another fumble, which was recovered by GARRETT ROSENTHAL.

JAVIER JIMENEZ rushed in for a short score to give the Pats a two-touchdown lead.

The Eagles put three points on the board before halftime.

Gonzalez caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback OWEN EASLEY in the third quarter. The drive was extended when Gonzalez had a big run on fourth down on a fake punt from his up-back position

The Eagles were able to put together a touchdown drive, but Gonzo went Gonzo straight up the middle of the field on the ensuing kickoff before shifting to the left sideline. It was then when he displayed his outright breakaway speed, burning past three Eagles who appeared to have an early angle, taking back SFC’s hard work.

Gonzalez added a 9-yard score from Easley. The unheralded star had 145 yards from scrimmage, including six receptions.

Jimenez, meanwhile, had 95 yards of total offense.

“I have to say the line got the job done tonight,” Gonzalez said. “They played an amazing game and I couldn’t thank them enough.

“And Javier did great today, as well. He showed everyone that he isn’t just a power back but also has some open-field speed.”

Rosenthal added nine tackles and batted down a pair of passes.

Christian High senior DAVID VENTURA had 13 total tackles, including five solo while senior NATHAN MATAZZARO added eight tackles, four of them solo.

Senior JUSTIN ROEHL added a sack for CHS.

Next, the Patriots host Mira Mesa on Homecoming at Granite Hills High’s Valley Stadium.

Christian ran nearly half as many plays as Santa Fe Christian (3-2), but many of the Eagles snaps were spent scrambling for any kind of gain.

Last year, it was the Eagles who dominated the line. This time around, the bigger, stronger guys had changed into red, white and blue uniforms.