Smith shines, McCullough leaves game in Braves’ win

By Bill Dickens
Updated: September 26, 2015

By Bill Dickens

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-26-15) — El Cajon Valley steamrolled visiting San Diego Southwest in the first half behind running quarterback TYSON SMITH, but lost star back NATHAN McCULLOUGH in the first half before taking a 21-0 lead into the locker room en route to a 35-8 win Friday night (Sept. 25).

“I think Nate was dehydrated,” said Braves coach PARRIS PISIONA. “He was sweating like crazy. He had a couple of long runs called back – one for 90 and the other for 60 yards. In the first quarter he touched the ball three times for about 280 yards then had those two called back.”

UPDATE (9-26-15): Later it was determined by a doctor that McCullough had not suffered a concussion, as originally reported, but was diagnosed as being dehydrated.

Smith logged touchdown runs of 5, 50 and 30 yards in the first 24 minutes, as the Braves controlled the game from the outset.

Smith called his own number on his first score, with a play-action keeper out of a pistol set. He then charged 7 yards behind senior linemen MUHAMAD TAHIR and ADEL MORALES to crash over the goal.

Later, he ran in a quarterback draw, weaving through unwilling Raider defenders, to get to the front of the end zone.

Senior JUNIOR ROSAS rushed in from five yards out in the third quarter behind linemen ANDREW KANA and JEREMIAH VALDES to give El Cajon Valley a 28-0 lead.

“Tyson Smith had a breakout game,” noted Pisiona. “When Nate McCullough went down Tyson really stepped up offensively.

EastCountySports.com photo

“We had a lot of penalties called – had about seven holding calls and haven’t had a holding call all year.”
The Braves’ defense had a strong night, including contributions in the second half from sophomores WILLIAM TYLER, DANIEL WILSON and MAQUEL GARNER, seniors HUSSEIN ABBAS and RONNE READUS, along with junior FAAMAMA LAUIFI.

McCullough left the game following a big collision and reportedly was taken to the hospital by his family after he walked off the field under his own power.