OCEANSIDEOCEANSIDE — In the previous two games, El Camino’s defense had been as stingy as any in the county, giving up just eight total points. The Wildcats offense, meanwhile, scored 77 points.
It was the special teams units’ turn to shine Friday.
The Wildcats average start on their first three drives was on the visitors’ 33-yard line, resulting in quick and devastating scores as El Camino thrashed Mt. Carmel, 69-6.
“We’ve been focusing on fixing up a few things,” El Camino head coach Michael Hobbs said of his unit that had turned the ball over on punt returns twice entering Friday. “They worked hard and they were ready for this. We were really focused on fixing that, and we knew that if we got it right we could get some big returns.”
The Wildcats’ special teams unit not only provided great field position all night, it got in on the scoring, too. Senior Ryan Speltz returned a first-quarter punt 61 yards for an early 22-0 lead.
Showing itself as not merely one-dimensional Friday, El Camino (3-1) also scored on long drives when the game still may have been in question.
The Wildcats scored on a 99-yard first-quarter march that showcased the offense’s multiple weapons. Senior running back Ray Taele got the Wildcats out of danger at their own 1 with a 9-yard run on first down, then put an exclamation point on the drive with a 23-yard power run on third-and-1.
A Mt. Carmel (3-2) punt on the next drive gave El Camino the ball at its own 8. No problem. Seven plays later, Kalepo Reese ran it in from 8 yards out for a commanding 42-0 lead.
Wildcats quarterback Carson Howard hardly missed on the night, throwing four first-half touchdowns to four different receivers. He threw for 157 yards before giving way to backup Vincent Simon with a running clock in the second half.
Howard ran an offense that got the ball on the Sundevils’ 44-, 27- and 29-yard line the first three drives he led.
“It’s usually our offense or defense that’s getting the focus, but I think our special teams sets us up for winning, and you saw that tonight,” said the senior Howard, who finished 9-for-14 ing. “A lot of times when you think about El Camino and Oceanside you think of the big linemen who are pushing everyone around — Rambo. But a lot of times what’s overlooked is how skilled our athletes are, and how they’ve gotten better over the years.”
One of the receivers Howard connected with was senior Devin Cerda, who caught a 57-yard wide receiver screen and scampered for the touchdown and a 49-0 lead.
Cerda got the Wildcats on the board first with a 33-yard run up the middle. He also had one of four sacks for the Wildcats.
“Football’s a game of three aspects — offense, defense and special teams,” said Cerda, who also rushed for 80 yards. “People want to just play offense and defense, but special teams is a big part of that too. Us having a great special teams unit puts us ahead.”
The Wildcats ground game was led by Taele, who rushed 11 times for 132 yards.
The Sundevils couldn’t move the ball on offense with just 80 yards on 38 plays in the first half. Their running game was held to minus-17 yards until team favorite Benny Moreno ripped off a 72-yard touchdown run as time expired.
“The team finished really positive with him, and he did a great job,” Sundevils head coach Drew Westling said of the senior. “There are a lot of plays we can build on. A miss here, an incompletion there can really come to light when you play a great team like that.”
Meehan is a freelance writer.
El Camino 69, Mt. Carmel 6
Mt. Carmel 0 0 0 6 – 6
El Camino 28 27 7 7 – 69
EC – Cerda 33 run (Taele from Howard)
EC – Speltz 8 from Howard (Ballow kick)
EC – Speltz 61 punt return (Ballow kick)
EC – Reese 20 from Howard (kick failed)
EC – Taele 23 run (Ballow kick)
EC – Reese 8 run (Ballow kick)
EC – Cerda 57 from Howard (Ballow kick)
EC – Rosas 16 from Howard (Ballow kick)
EC – Ballow 6 run (Ballow kick)
EC – Anglin 29 interception return (Ballow kick)
MC – Moreno 72 run (no attempt)
