The Cougars showed their potential, leading 27-3 after three quarters.
The Colts, however, dominated the fourth quarter, scoring twice within the first four minutes. Nik France’s 73-yard run put the game out of reach.
 Jeff Chatfield stretches out to complete a 26-yard reception from Nate Seaton. The Cougars would score, defeating El Camino, 34-23. |
El Camino’s offense was nonexistent in the first half, having to punt on its first five drives of the game.
Meanwhile, Half Moon Bay’s offense was clicking despite missing some key components. Running back Dominic Sena and wide receiver Julian Garcia didn’t play, as they were nursing minor injuries. Both are expected to play in Friday’s Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division opener at Carlmont.
France was the main rusher, gaining 196 yard and three scores. He scored the game’s first touchdown, which ended Half Moon Bay’s initial drive. That drive consumed 65 yards and five minutes of the clock.
Half Moon Bay scored midway through the second quarter, with Josh Dunne finishing the drive on a 4-yard dive up the middle.
Half Moon Bay’s final points of the first half came exclusively through the air. Nate Seaton completed all five passes on that drive, culminating with a 15-yard scoring strike to Carrick Meyers.
“We have not used the pass that much,” Dunne said. “But throughout practice, we have been working on that more.”
Seaton had his most productive passing game of the season, completing 12-of-15 passes for 147 yards and the touchdown pass. Just as importantly, he wasn’t sacked and didn’t fire an interception.
El Camino ended the half with a field goal. But it couldn’t regain that momentum, despite Half Moon Bay giving the Colts chances.
The Cougars’ first drive of the second half ended with a turnover. The second drive ended on a punt. An illegal blocking penalty on that drive wiped out a 64-yard touchdown run by France.
He would score on Half Moon Bay’s next drive, boosting Cougar lead to 27-3.
Following El Camino’s two scores, France’s run ended the drama.
“They got fired up and we had to re-fire up,” France said. “Eventually we got fired up and we stopped them.”
France was adamant that no one was thinking about Carlmont, even as Seaton was taking a knee to run out the last minute of the game.
“We have to play El Camino before we can play Carlmont,” France said.
Now the focus can be on Carlmont and its high-power passing attack.
“We are going to have to work on our passing defense, and tell our DBs to get over the top,” Dunne said.
The frosh-soph earned a 13-6 win. Luis Gonzalez scored on a 2-yard run. Patrick Meyers scored on a 6-yard dive near the end of the game.
Wesley Walters rushed for 94 yards on 14 carries. Anthony Rivera picked up 81 yards on seven caries.
Austin Krieger had 12 tackles with Kyle Owens and Peter Bacich each getting six. Walters intercepted a pass and Gonzalez forced a fumble on El Camino’s final drive.
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