CHULA VISTA – It was quite a debut for sophomore quarterback Kaleb Runkle.
The Granite Hills High School transfer threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for two more to lead visiting Christian to an impressive 30-2 over host Chula Vista in Friday’s non-league contest at Chula Vista High School.
“I felt some pressure, there were some big expectations for me,” said Runkle, starting his first game of the year after sitting out per the CIF’s mandatory sit-out period for tranfers. “People had a lot of hopes for me and I didn’t want to let them down.”
Runkle is the Patriots’ third starting quarterback this season. Senior Spencer Johnson started the first two games until being sidelined by a concussion. Junior Jadon Wilkins started the next two.
Runkle had to grow into the situation in the first half. He completed just one of his first five es.
On the other side, both defenses got on the board in the first 24 minutes, trading a rare pair of safeties.
Christian’s Tavin Zawacki sacked Chula Vista quarterback Izaac Baca for two-points in the end zone with 4:05 left in the first quarter for a 2-0 lead.
Chula Vista (4-2) got the points back with 2:02 left in the half when La’Darrione Perkins sacked Runkle to return the favor and the two points.
The only offensive points managed in the half was a 44-yard touchdown from Runkle to Brady Eads with 2:56 left in the opening quarter for a 9-2 halftime advantage.
The second half was all Patriots, and Runkle leading the 21-0 explosion
The sophomore gave Christian (3-2) a 16-2 lead when he went in from the 4 on a quarterback draw on fourth-and-goal with 3:23 left in the third quarter.
Two minutes and another Chula Vista fumble set up Runkle’s second TD toss of the night, a 5-yard to Jake Marsh with 1:29 left in the quarter to extend the lead to 23-2
The Patriots third-straight scoring possession was Runkle’s best.
Scrambling near midfield, he decided to tuck it in and run. He was slammed head-on at the 40, but refused to go down. He gathered himself, found a seam and raced 45 yards for the final score of the night.
“It was a big hit, but when I figured out I wasn’t down I just broke free,” said Runkle, who finished with a game-high 69 yards rushing on seven carries and threw for 99 more yards, completing 8 of 12 attempts for the night.
“He showed us exactly what we wanted to see,” said Christian coach Patrick Bugg. “He did an outstanding job running the offense and was very patient.”
Senior defensive back Max Turvey was in on a pair of turnovers for the Patriots. He intercepted a in the end zone in the first half and recovered a fumble on the opening play of the second half.
Christian held the Spartans to just 137 yards in total offense.
“Those guys did what I expected,” said Bugg of his defense. “They played hard and together; flying all over the place. We got 11 hats on the ball all night.”
Christian 30, Chula Vista 2
Christian 9 0 14 7 — 30Chula Vista 0 2 0 0 — 2
Chr — Safety – Zawacki sack Baca in end zone
Chr — Eads 44 from Runkle (Buchmann kick)
CV — Safety – Perkins sack Runkle in end zone
Chr — Runkle 4 run (Buchmann kick)
Chr — Marsh 5 from Runkle (Buchmann kick)
Chr — Runkle 45 run (Buchmann kick)
