Patriots stay perfect by playing near-perfect first half

By David Dickens
Updated: September 29, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

CHRISTIAN 48, MIRA MESA 28

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON (9-28-2018) – It was not the game of the week per say, but with Homecoming looming, Friday night lights were ready to go off.

After discussing with local media earlier in the week, Christian High running back ALEX “GONZO” GONZALEZ and quarterback OWEN EASLEY, ended up taking their stardom from behind the camera and onto the playing field.

The Patriots wasted no time as their speedy, athletic defense forced a three-and-out for Mira Mesa to set the tone early.

Christian High utilized the Valley Stadium crowd as the 12th man if you will.

The stands were filled to capacity, and the roars were hibernating in the early portion of the first quarter.

However, the Patriots have been on a mission to prove to the pollsters, they are more than deserving of the higher power rankings.

With 7:07 remaining in the first quarter, the Christian offense came up with a trick play, proving they had plenty of tricks highlighted in their playbook that would put the visitors to the test.

Indeed, as a double reverse flea flicker, handed off to Gonzalez, to wide receiver MILES MONTES, flipped back to Easley, for a 60-yard touchdown strike to sophomore wide receiver JACK ST. FLEUR, for a 6-0 Patriots as the crowd came alive.

The two-point conversion attempt failed on a run stuff.

The Patriot defense continued to fight hard, defending the run and pass pretty effectively.

However, the dual-threat Mira Mesa quarterback NOAH TUMBLIN slithered his way through a few defenders but often found himself running backward.

Christian was not only dominating the scoreboard but also the time of possession.

With 3:22 remaining in the first quarter, Easley hit JAVIER JIMENEZ with another strike down the right sideline. The point after touchdown was successful, and it was 13-0 Patriots.

There were a few penalties that both squads would love to clean up.

Especially, in particular, a horse-collar tackle made on behalf of the Marauders and a face mask penalty on the visiting Marauders, proving costly as the Patriots added another score, as Easley tossed a beauty to Gonzalez, who would also be leading a lip-syncing contest after the game, as part of the homecoming festivities, and just scored another, leading the Marauders now by a score of 18-0, as the two-point conversion pass attempt came up short with 6:50 left in the second quarter.

Easley would add yet another touchdown to his arsenal as he walked into the end zone untouched for another Patriot score. The two-point conversion was successful with 3:32 left in the half, making it 26-0, Patriots.

Mira Mesa did, however, put a nice drive together towards the end of the first half, cutting the score to 26-7, Patriots.

Both squads came out in the third quarter to make it interesting, scoring 14 points each in the third quarter and seven points each in the fourth.

Christian dominated all three phases of the game.

Christian finished off the Visiting Marauders, 48-28.

Christian (6-0) might climb up the power rankings now and now face league foe, Morse (4-2), at Morse at 6:30 p.m., on Friday.

Morse just beat La Jolla, 54-25, on Friday.