Hydorn throws four TDs in RedHawk win

By ECS Staff
Updated: October 20, 2018

Dallas Prince carries for Mountain Empire on Friday night. / photo by Roxy Burns

A Mountain Empire player runs with the ball on Friday night. / photo by Roxy Burns

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 38, CALIPATRIA 13

By Roxy Burns

Special to EastCountySports.com

CALIPATRIA – The first half was hard fought and Calipatria controlled the ball with its running game against the visiting Mountain Empire RedHawks on Friday night.

But the RedHawks improved to 2-0 in the Manzanita League with a 38-13 road win over the Hornets. The victory sets up a showdown for the league title next week.

Calipatria took a quick 3-0 lead, but ME struck quickly on a TD pass from Gabriel Hydorn to Marquis Smith. Calipatria blocked the extra point and the score was 6-3.

Mountain Empire brings down a Calipatria runner on Friday night. / photo by Roxy Burns

The rest of the half was a battle, but the RedHawks, however, managed to build a 21-13 lead at halftime.

The second half was a different story as the RedHawks held Calipatria scoreless as they scored 17 unanswered points highlighted by a 90-yard reception by Marquis Davis that took the RedHawks to the 4-yard line.

One play later, Esteban Castillo punched it in for a TD.

On a night when the running game was struggling, the RedHawk passing game was more than up to the challenge as Hydorn was 18-of-22 for 316 yards and four touchdowns.

Smith had four receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cameron Will had two receptions for 77 yards and a TD. Davis had 2 receptions for 96 yards.

Next week, ME takes on the defending D5 champs and state runner-up Vincent Memorial at RedHawk Stadium.

A win would give the RedHawks sole possession of the Manzanita League title.