Monday, November 19, 2007

Colton cruises past Don Lugo


Colton cruises past Don Lugo
John Murphy, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/16/2007 11:40:07 PM PST


COLTON - Can you say tune-up?
The Colton football team prepared for future CIF-SS Central Division playoff games by beating Don Lugo 51-0 on Friday night.

The Yellowjackets, riding a wave of big defensive hits, Don Lugo mistakes and short Colton touchdown drives, bolted to a 32-0 lead after the first quarter, prompting the Conquistadores to request a running clock.

You couldn't call some of them drives.

On Colton's first possession, Travell Washington took his team's second handoff and raced 78 yards for a touchdown.

The second possession went the same way. After a couple of penalties, Nick Reyes ran 11 yards for a score. The touchdown was set up by a fumble recovery by defensive back Angel Agudo.

The Yellowjackets led 16-0 just six minutes into the game.

Colton's big offensive line of Daniel Bernard (6-4, 315), Tommy Garcia (6-2, 240), Ray Rodriguez (6-5, 270), Jeffery Patterson-Moore (6-2, 243) and Ronald Slater (6-2, 240) opened big holes for the Yellowjackets' shifty backs all night.

"It was a good way to start the playoffs," Colton coach Harold Strauss said. "We executed well on both sides of the ball. I think the kids wanted to send a message to the rest of the division."

Bernard said after Friday night's game that he will commit to the University of Mississippi the next time he speaks with officials there. Ole Miss already has offered the mammoth offensive lineman a scholarship. As for now, Bernard has plenty of things to occupy his mind.
"We didn't think we were just going to roll over them," Bernard said of Don Lugo (7-4). "We don't think like that. It doesn't matter if a team has a winning record or a losing one. Anyone can win if they have the heart."

Following a safety, Colton (7-3) found the end zone again. This time it took six plays, with Reyes scoring from 21 yards out for a 24-0 lead.

After the Conquistadores' third consecutive three-and-out possession, Colton set its sights on the end zone again.

This time it took the Yellowjackets two plays, with DJ Stallion scoring from 27.

Don Lugo trailed by 32 and with three quarters left when coach Greg Setlich requested the running clock. His said he knew his team was overmatched.

"Colton is an excellent team," Setlich said. "They're better than we are. I wish we hadn't laid down the way we did. You want to go out playing as hard as you can.

"But I'm proud of our team and the season we had. Your goal is always to make the playoffs and we did that for the fifth consecutive year."

Not even a running clock could halt the Yellowjackets. They scored again on their third offensive play of the second quarter, on a 7-yard run by Washington.

Colton 39, Don Lugo 0 6:54 left in the first half.

When Colton wasn't sprinting toward the goal line, it was stuffing Don Lugo's spread offense - sometimes on jarring hits by senior free safety Daniel Sorensen, the Brigham Young University recruit.

Colton gained 402 yards on the ground, averaging 12.5 yards per carry. Washington led the way with 168 yards on eight carries and three scores.

Stallion added 26 yards on 10 carries and Reyes contributed 104 yards on 10 carries. Both scored two touchdowns.

Stallion also caught a 41-yard pass from Nick Vasquez.

Don Lugo quarterback Charlie Hinojosa threw for 79 yards, completing 7-of-14 with one interception (by Nat Berhe). But the Conquistadores' running game lost 28 yards under a swarm of crimson jerseys.

Colton will meet visiting Moreno Valley Rancho Verde in Friday's second round in another 7:30 p.m. game.



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