Nov
18

Kickoff returns spark Campo over Maria Carrillo

Michael Brewer helped Campolindo to a 44-20 win over Maria Carrillo Friday night.

 

November 18, 2017

MORAGA, CA – Campolindo had a strong running game from senior Shun Ishida and junior Michael Brewer as the Cougars cruised to a 44-20 win over visiting Maria Carrillo in the NCS Division 2 quarterfinals on Friday night.

The Cougars came out hot to start the game as Vince Mossotti returned the opening kickoff from 95 yards out for a touchdown on the very first play. Ishida also had a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown midway through the first quarter, putting the Cougars up 21-0.

After a Maria Carrillo punt, Brewer carried the ball down to the 18-yard line, and later capped off the drive with a short dive into the end zone from the one-yard line. On the ensuing kickoff, the visiting Pumas (4-6) got their own kickoff return for a touchdown – a 97-yarder by Khameron Perkins.

“We were struggling to get our offense going,” Maria Carrillo coach Jay Higgins said. “Campolindo is a good team; they are really impressive. They had really good depth.”

The host Cougars extended their lead to 34-7 after a pair of field goals by Riley Bruel and Seppi Ortman. Maria Carrillo fought back with a 94-yard kick return by Kaih Johnson with one minute left in the first half. Campolindo responded with senior quarterback John Torchio throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Regan with 19 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Cougars a 41-14 lead at the break.

The visiting Pumas scored their third touchdown on their opening drive in the second half on an 11-yard carry by Quentin Cuellar to cut the lead 41-20. Ortman added a 32-yard field goal for Campolindo

Campolindo (8-4) advances to the NCS Division 2 semifinals and will face either Livermore or Windsor at home on Friday, November 24, as the Cougars continue their quest for a fourth consecutive NCS title.

“Our goal every year is to make it to Thanksgiving week, so we’ve achieved that goal,” said Torchio.

Scoring Summary

Campo – Mossotti 95 kick return (Bruel kick)

Campo – Ishida 33 run (Bruel kick)

Campo – Ishida 97 kick return (Ortman kick)

Campo – Brewer 1 run (Ortman kick)

MC – Perkins 87 kick return (Link kick)

Campo – Ortman 36 FG

Campo – Bruel 18 FG

MC – Johnson 94 kick return (Link kick)

Campo – Regan 38 pass from Torchio (Bruel kick)

MC – Cuellar 11 run (kick failed)

Campo – Ortman 32 FG