Isaiah Blevins picks up a big gain for Pacifica against Crean Lutheran. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Before Friday’ night’s Empire League opener, Pacifica High head coach Vinnie Lopez emphasized that his team needed to play with more consistency.
And the Mariners responded by dominating on both sides of the ball and defeated Crean Lutheran 55-0 at Portola High.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
“We executed well on offense and we only had to punt once tonight, it was a consistent game for us,” said Lopez. “I was nervous coming in here, we start four sophomores and a freshman but we sorted things out and played well.”
Pacifica running back Isaiah Blevins rushed for a career-high 292 yards and scored a career high four touchdowns and freshman quarterback Darius Cowens threw a touchdown pass and ran for a TD to spark the Mariners attack.
“We’re focused and we want to get to the championship,” said Blevins, who carried the ball 15 times and had five runs of 20 or more yards. “We came together as a team and this will give our team a boost.”
Pacifica (3-3, 1-0) snapped the Saints (3-3, 0-1) three-game winning streak and beat Crean Lutheran for the second straight season.
The Mariners got off to a fast start as they stormed 80 yards in four plays on their opening drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead. Cowens capped the drive with an 11-yard TD run. The drive was highlighted by a 47-yard run by Blevins.
Pacifica upped its lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter as they marched 70 yards in nine plays. On a critical third and long, Cowens completed a 35-yard pass play to Jamaal Fischer, who made an incredible catch between two defenders, to give the Mariners a first down. Five plays later, Blevins raced in from 17 yards for Pacifica’s second TD of the game.
“I was nervous at first, but I calmed down and the offensive line gave me time and I settled in,” Cowens said. “I have a goal to pass for 1,000 yards this season and win a CIF championship and we’re focused on both goals.”
The Mariners added a stunning third score on the final play of the half when Blevins blasted off right tackle and outran the secondary enroute to a 74-yard touchdown run. He crossed the goal line as the first half buzzer went off, giving the Mariners a 21-0 lead at the break.
Blevins was nearly unstoppable in the first half as he rushed for 183 yards and two TDs.
The Saints ground game had difficulties getting going in the first half as Pacifica held the Crean Lutheran to negative yards rushing. Tim Kim, Mekyh Harris and Ryan Inez led a swarming Pacifica charge as they recorded four sacks.
“We worked on fixing our mistakes tonight,” said Kim. “We got after the ball and we’re tackling better.”
Despite being under heavy pressure, Crean Lutheran quarterback Brody Jones had some success throwing the ball in the first half but two near misses cost the Saints. Brody narrowly overthrew Nathan Folsom twice in the opening half after Folsom had gotten behind the Mariners secondary.
“If we connect on those plays, it’s a different game,” said Saints coach Randall Reynoso. “It was one of those nights.”
Crean Lutheran’s fortunes didn’t get any better in the second half.
Blevins scored two more TDs in the third quarterback and Cowens fired a 36-yard TD pass to Diego Serrano to put the game out of reach and built a 42-0 lead after three quarters.
Johnny Martinez and Jacob Meza added fourth quarter TD runs to finish the Mariners scoring.
“We’re look at the film and address the mistakes and make some corrections,” said Reynoso.
Before Friday’s kickoff, Crean Lutheran students, Luke Johnson (ASB Service Leadership) and Gwen Butler (Cheerleader), both juniors, performed an outstanding rendition of the National Anthem.
STATS
PASSING: P: Cowens 8-12-0, 170 yards, TD; CL, Jones 6-13-0, 44 yards.
RUSHING: P: Blevins. 15-292, Cowens 5-35, Meza 4-61; CL Mahoney 2-18.
RECEVING: P: Fischer 4-90, Pederson 2-36; CL, Mahoney, 3-18, Folsom 2-24.
-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
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