Warriors tame Wildcats

On Friday, October 28, the Fallbrook Warriors played host to the El Camino Wildcats, and thanks to a failed two-point conversion try, held on to win by the score Fallbrook 21, El Camino 20. Fallbrook’s key plays included Rob Taft’s 63-yard punt, Danny Mendez’s interception and three touchdowns for running back Anthony Morrow. Fallbrook played a solid game but had to overcome some costly penalties to nail down the victory.

The Warriors started the game on defense stalling the Wildcats drive thanks to a big hit by Mendez on a third and nine-pass play. The first Warrior possession resulted in a punt but the team was back on offense very soon due to an interception by Danny Mendez. On the second Warrior possession, Derek Eldredge caught a pass from quarterback Aaron Holt and ran to the one-yard-line resulting in a 62-yard completion. Anthony Morrow ran it in for the touchdown and Rob Taft made the PAT, making the score 7-0.

The Warriors and Wildcats played good defense, with each team stopping the other on three drives. Zac Hampton and Nolan Hamblen contributed with big hits on defense during these series. Fallbrook gained possession again, highlighted by a Ross Dixon run for 29 yards, a Matt Burke pass completion from Aaron Holt and an Anthony Morrow touchdown run. The PAT by Rob Taft was successful, making the score Fallbrook 14, El Camino 0. The Warriors looked to be in good shape with little time left before the half, but El Camino’s Paopao threw a screen pass, which was run in for a late first half score. Fallbrook had 14 to El Camino’s 7 at the half.

When Fallbrook received the ball after halftime, the team had a strong drive going and called a flea flicker, which fell incomplete. Fallbrook was forced to punt and El Camino proceeded to march down the field and score a touchdown. With the score tied the Warriors were ready to move the ball when a fumble stopped them in their tracks, giving the ball back to El Camino. After a missed field goal attempt, a ‘roughing the kicker’ penalty called on the Warriors had the crowd in an uproar. The Wildcats were given another chance to score but fumbled, with Zac Hampton regaining possession for the Warriors deep in their own territory. The opportunity wasn’t capitalized on and the Warriors punted the ball away. Fallbrook’s defense forced another fumble, which Neil Proctor recovered for the Warriors. Cody McDole and Anthony Morrow carried the ball down the field and helped Fallbrook score again to retake the lead.

El Camino refused to give in and drove down deep enough to attempt another field goal, but it was no good, giving the Warriors the ball again. Fallbrook once again was forced to punt, and this time El Camino moved the ball 63 yards for a touchdown with 1 minute, 29 seconds left to play. The score was now Fallbrook 21, El Camino 20. El Camino, having no chance for a playoff berth, decided to go for the win and try a two-point conversion. The quarterback faked an inside handoff and rolled out right to throw to the tight-end for the conversion, but the ball was tipped and fell incomplete.

The Warriors (4-4, 2-1) played a great game and pulled out another close win. This Friday, Fallbrook competes against Rancho Buena Vista away and hopes to continue the winning streak before they take on league leader Carlsbad in their final game. The game is at 7:30 p.m., with junior varsity playing at 5 p.m. Last Friday, the JV Warriors beat the Wildcats convincingly by a score of 40-30. Come out and help the Warrior teams keep their streaks alive and enjoy some exciting high school football!