Eastlake coach John McFadden refers to the successful by-product of each week of practice as the “big prize.” Translated into everyday speak, it means a victory.
The top-ranked Titans collected their fourth consecutive “big prize” of the young season last Friday by defeating the host Steele Canyon Cougars 25-7. Eastlake is one of 17 remaining undefeated teams in the San Diego Section and only one of four teams sporting 4-0 records.
The biggest prize to be had so far this year for the Titans will be winning Friday’s home game against the seventh-ranked Cathedral Catholic Dons, the reigning four-time Division III champions.
The Dons enter the game with a 3-1 record and fresh off a 31-0 shutout victory at Olympian last Friday.
“It doesn’t get any easier, does it?” McFadden said succinctly. “They seem to be getting stronger each week. They had one bad game against Helix.”
The Titans withstood perhaps the Cougars’ most solid performance this season, leading 13-0 at halftime and punching in two additional touchdowns in the second half.
Jude Isbell (16 carries, 108 yards) and Tavarus Green (five carries, 101 yards) helped key Eastlake’s relentless rushing game that totaled 41 attempts for 314 yards. |
Green scored on a 77-yard romp in the second quarter after Isiah Olave (seven carries, 35 yards) opened scoring in the first quarter on a four-yard run.|
Josh Palet (12-of-20, 120 yards) hit Joseph Carpizo on a 35-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Eastlake had a 19-0 lead before Steele Canyon (2-2) scored on a 56-yard breakaway run by Lonnie Tuff in the third quarter.
Olave closed out the victory with a nine-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Carpizo had three catches for 50 yards while teammate Travis Gardner had five catches for 45 yards.
Aaron Baltazar had seven rushes for 50 yards and also made eight tackles on defense. Isbell led the EHS defense with nine tackles, including one hit that knocked off a Steele Canyon player’s helmet. |
Nasser Ali recovered two fumbles for the Titans, including one as the Cougars appeared to be in prime scoring position.
For the season, Isbell has rushed for 421 yards on 69 carries while Palet has passed for 590 yards. Carpizo (eight catches, 191 yards) and Gardner (13 catches, 173 yards) lead the team’s receivers.
Baltazar (32 tackles) and Isbell (26 tackles) led the EHS defense.|
Cathedral’s Garrett Bogart threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns against Olympian. Tony Johnson also rushed for 103 yards and scored once.
The Dons raided the Eagles nest with two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Prep Football Rankings
San Diego Sportswriters Association Poll
1. Eastlake (4-0)
2. Helix (2-1)
3. Oceanside (2-1)
4. Poway (3-0-1)
5. Mt. Miguel (3-0)
6. St. Augustine (4-0)
7. Cathedral Catholic (3-1)
8. San Pasqual (3-0-1)
9. Mira Mesa (2-1)
10. Westview (4-0)
11. Madison (4-0)
12. La Costa Canyon (2-2)
13. (tie) Mar Vista (3-0)
13. (tie) Santana (4-0)
13. (tie) Valley Center (3-1)
16. Valhalla (3-1)
Prep Fotball Schedule
Friday, Sept. 30/Non-League
Cathedral Catholic at Eastlake
El Capitan at Hilltop
Hoover at Otay Ranch
Chadwick at Mater Dei Catholic
Grossmont at Mar Vista
Santana at San Ysidro
Bonita Vista at Scripps Ranch
Olympian at Madison
Sweetwater at Mt. Miguel
Chula Vista at Mira Mesa
Montgomery at Calexico
Southwest vs. Rock Academy at Helix High School
