Week 4: La Costa Canyon Mavericks 34, El Camino Wildcats 8
La Costa Canyon made a huge statement Friday night, dominating El Camino, 34-8, to open up Avocado League play.
The Mavericks (2-2, 1-0) moved the ball with ease from the opening kickoff, running the ball and eating up the clock to keep the Wildcat offense on the sideline.
A stunned El Camino crowd was kept quiet all night thanks to the La Costa Canyon defense. El Camino (1-2, 0-1) had no answers. The Wildcats used two quarterbacks, could not run the ball, and had four turnovers – three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and lost a fumble that was returned for a score.
Senior quarterback Marshall Eucker ran the ball all night against the El Camino defense. He opened up the scoring on a 3-yard bootleg run to put La Costa Canyon up 7-0 in the first.
After Garrett Woodard blocked an El Camino 37-yard field goal attempt, Eucker led another scoring drive that ended with him running it in from six yards out to put LCC up, 14-0.
After the half, the Maverick defense decided to get in on the scoring.
Chad Nuschy intercepted sophomore quarterback Kiah Reid for a 31-yard pick-six to put LCC up, 21-0.
A Wildcat fumble was returned for a touchdown later in the fourth quarter.
The only bright spot for El Camino came late in the fourth when quarterback Jake Armentrout ran the ball in for the only score for the Wildcats.
Next week, El Camino will look to get back to .500 when it welcomes in Torrey Pines.
La Costa Canyon will travel to Oceanside to take on the Pirates.
PREVIEW
One of the premiere games in the county takes place in Oceanside when La Costa Canyon visits El Camino to open up Avocado League play in a crucial game for both teams.
The La Costa Canyon Mavericks (1-2) and the El Camino Wildcats (1-1) are coming off tough, close losses that they felt should have gone their way.
La Costa Canyon, down 13-12 to San Clemente in the fourth quarter this past Friday, were driving down the field for a game-winning score. Senior quarterback Marshall Eucker then threw an interception to end the game and give the Mavericks their second loss of the season.
In Week 2, the Wildcats took on the highly-ranked, undefeated Lincoln Hornets. Up 24-20 late in the fourth with the ball, the Wildcats were on their way to a win. That is when senior quarterback Joe Armentrout fumbled the snap and Lincoln returned it 77 yards for a touchdown to clinch the win.
Since defeating defending Open Division champion Cathedral to open last season, the Mavericks have gone just 7-6. A loss Friday night will put them at 1-3, including 0-1 in a deep Avocado League.
El Camino has been a surprise so far. After finishing 1-9 last season, including a 41-21 loss to La Costa Canyon, the Wildcats defeated Point Loma to open the season before losing to Lincoln by two points. El Camino believes they can win a league title. That begins Friday night.
Both teams should be highly motivated.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
For highlights of this game and others around the county, be sure to tune into Season XXI of the Prep Pigskin Report this Friday at 11 p.m.
Also, prior to the PPR, be sure to tune in every Friday night at 10:45 p.m on KUSI for 1st and 15.
This week’s PPR Viewing Party will feature the El Camino Wildcats at Domino’s Pizza.
The second PPR Viewing Party stop will be at Grand Slam Pizza with the Tri-City Christian Eagles.
Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts for live-game updates and information throughout the week.
