Opposing teams finding it difficult to stop Pacifica all-purpose back Rai Sagastume

Rai Sagustume has been one of the Pacifica Mariners top offensive threats this season. (Photo Fernando M. Donado, for OC Sports Zone).

Opposing defenses have been having a hard time this season stopping Pacifica standout Rai Sagastume.

The 5-6 senior had another big game last week leading the Mariners (4-3 overall, 2-0 in the Empire League) to a 40-13 victory over Crean Lutheran. He rushed for 200 yards on 19 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 25 and 81 yards.

Sagastume also and hauled in a 24-yard TD catch in the first half and wound up with catches for 80 yards.

Pacifica coach Vinnie Lopez is hoping for another big game from Sagustume Thursday night when Pacifica meets Tustin at Northrup Field in the third Empire League game of the season.

“Rai is a special kid, he has that ability to go out in space and make people miss,” Lopez said.

Sagastume, using his speed and quickness, has rolled up some big offensive numbers. He’s rushed for 673 yards on 102 carries (6.6 average) and scored six touchdowns and also hauled in seven catches for 148 yards (16.4 average).

Yet he doesn’t take credit, instead praising the Mariners’ offensive line for his success in Thursday’s victory over Crean Lutheran.

He and his teammates, after a slow start, have responded with victories in their first two Empire League games.

“We came off pretty slow,” he said. “Unfortunately we had a couple losses but we just got to keep on getting better and focus on the games ahead.”

Sagastume was on last year’s team that won the Empire League title and said he’s hoping the Mariners can win another one this year.

“I can”t thank my team enough,” he said. “We’re very hard working and we just have to keep on rolling.”

Sagastume knows another challenge awaits Thursday night when Pacifica meets Tustin (1-1 in league).

“We just have to get our game plan ready and just have a wonderful four days of practice,”he said. “We play another Thursday game so we just have to move past this game and get ready for Tustin.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone