Pacifica breaks game open with fourth quarter surge in league win over Uni

Pacifica’s football team broke open a one-score game with four touchdowns in a seven-minute period in the fourth quarter to prevail over University 42-6 on homecoming in a game played at Garden Grove High School Friday night.

In the first week of Omicron League play, the game was scoreless for almost the first quarter-and-a-half due to four turnovers (two by each team) with three in the red zone.

Senior quarterback James Anema connected with junior wide receiver Max Salas on an 11-yard scoring strike in the back of the end zone. Pacifica led 7-0 at halftime.

With just under eight minutes to go in the third quarter, Anema found his favorite receiver, senior David Carlson for a 35-yard touchdown toss to put the Mariners up 14-0. Carlson had eight catches for 105 yards on the evening.

University would answer on a 70-yard drive culminating in a six-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Dylan Elmer to senior wideout Cruz McMullens, cutting the deficit to 14-6. Elmer passed for 232 yards with McMullens hauling in nine receptions for 213 yards, his second consecutive week with 200-plus receiving yards.

Pacifica put 28 points on the board in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Ma’Kai Brown ran for a two-yard touchdown. He carried the ball 21 times for 135 yards. Less than five minutes later Anema found Salas again for a 23-yard touchdown pass.

Anema was 16-for-22 for 227 yards. Salas had four receptions for 81 yards. Three plays later, junior defensive back Gabe Frias scored on a 30-yard pick six. Two minutes later, reserve running back Xander Schmidt scored untouched on a 27-yard run.

Pacifica (3-3, 1-0) visits Woodbridge (0-6, 0-1) in a game at University on Thursday.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone