RANCHO BERNARDO – Del Norte had just 14 yards rushing in two weeks heading into Friday’s game against Eastlake.
The Nighthawks offensive line seemed to take that personally.
The line was physical all night, setting up a consistent run game and a big-play ing game on the way to a 39-6 conquest of visiting Eastlake.
The Nighthawks (2-1) rushed for 133 yards – 117 in the first half – and quarterback Diesel Taylor threw for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns behind a stout effort in the trenches.
“That’s something we’re going to focus on every week,” said Taylor, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Arizona with strong pocket presence. “I have to give credit to the line. They’ve improved every single game. We couldn’t get anything going in the first two games. I don’t know how many we had tonight, but it looked good.”
Taylor finished 16 of 27, connecting with Anthony Taylor for a 7-yard score and Alec Waters from 20 yards, both in the decisive second quarter.
For a bit, it appeared the Nighthawks offense wasn’t ready to break through. Del Norte settled for a Mateo Orosco short field goal after having a fourth-and-goal at the 1 and then turned the ball over on a Taylor interception on a second-and-goal from the 11.
But the defense continued to do its job, holding the Titans offense in check while making game-changing plays.
A second-quarter errant snap deep in Eastlake territory was recovered by senior defensive tackle Marcus Hernandez at the 1, and he ran it in for the easy score.
“It can flip a switch in the game,” said Hernandez, who also had a sack. “It’s all about dedication and effort. I wouldn’t have made that touchdown without my linebacker Matt Riley so I owe it to him. The whole team was swarming around the ball. I was just there to get it first.”
Eastlake (1-2) could muster just 39 yards total in the first half. After an injury last week, the Titans rolled out two two-way wide receiver/defensive backs Rocket Demery and Hamza Hatahet at quarterback. The running game managed 1 net yard in the first half. The only score was a late Hatahet 25-yard touchdown to Isaiah Rodriguez.
“I’m not making excuses; we’ve got to do better,” coach Jose Mendoza said. “If we don’t get the O-line straight, all of this is going to implode on us. That’s the main focus going into next week.”
The Del Norte defense also caused a safety as it took the challenge of being more physical this week. It also produced a pair of interceptions.
“We have some talented kids (on defense) that really want to be great,” said Nighthawks coach Nick Barnett, the former Green Bay Packers great who knows something about physical defense. “Today was a good day for them. We still have a lot of work to do.”
Anthony Taylor not only hauled in the 7-yard score for one of his six catches on the night, he returned a short punt 29 yards in the fourth for the hosts’ final score on the night.
He was one of seven Nighthawks to catch a .
“We’ve been trying to get that chemistry as receivers, working after practice every day,” Taylor said. “It’s going to gradually get better. It’s not about the start; it’s about the finish. It’s starting to come together. We have a big game next week against Carlsbad. That’s a big test, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Del Norte 39, Eastlake 6
Eastlake 0 0 0 6 – 6
Del Norte 3 29 0 7 – 39
DN – Orosco 24 field goal
DN – A. Taylor 7 from D. Taylor (Orosco kick)
DN – Hernandez 25 fumble recovery (Orosco kick)
DN – Safety, Hatahet tackled in end zone
DN – Waters 20 from D. Taylor (Avaregan kick)
DN – Barnett 12 run (kick failed)
DN – A. Taylor 29 punt return (Avaregan kick)
E – Rodriguez 25 from Hatahet (kick failed)
