As season-opening benchmark assessments go, No. 10-ranked Steele Canyon playing host to No. 12 Eastlake seemed to be a fair and perfect early test for both perennial section powers.
Eastlake finished 10-2 last year after losing to Division I runner-up Helix in the semifinals. Steele Canyon was 9-3 after dropping a Division I quarterfinal to eventual champion St. Augustine.
Friday’s assignment had some errors, as anticipated, but Steele Canyon tallied more correct answers and came away with a 17-6 win on a pleasant night in the East County.
Eastlake gained only 161 yards, 137 coming on two plays.
“Our defense is pretty stout,” Cougars coach Scott Longerbone said. “All the dudes who are supposed to be dudes played really well.”
Among the main dudes were Viliamu-Ahyou “Rugby” Morse, Junior Akintunde and Chance Johnson. Morse had three sacks including a strip. Akintunde had two fumble recoveries – one that saved a touchdown and another that set up a fourth-quarter field goal by David Martinez. Johnson had an interception and several defenses.
“They played great defense,” said Titans coach John McFadden, who had been 6-0 against Steele. “We had opportunities, but they did a great job taking them away.”
The Titans struck first getting 67 yards on a from Adriel Colmenero to Holden Stevens to set up a 1-yard TD by Jordan Swan.
However, Chris Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to set up a 12-yard TD run by Wes Neely.
Shortly after, Eastlake’s Mateo La raced for 70 yards to the 3-yard line, but Akintunde recovered a fumble on the next play. The Titans’ Maximus Susi recovered a fumble at the Cougars’ 40-yard line, but Eastlake couldn’t capitalize.
The Cougars went up 14-6 on a perfectly placed 10-yard from Jeremy Mendez-Gal to Antoine Walker in the front corner of the end zone that capped a 9-play, 55-yard drive.
Eastlake 6 0 0 0 – 6
Steele Canyon 7 7 0 3 – 17
E – Jordan Swan 1 run (kick failed)
SC – Wes Neely 12 run (David Martinez kick)
SC – Antoine Walker 10 from Jeremy Mendez-Gal (David Martinez kick)
SC – FG David Martinez 24
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
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