BY TED APODACA: Pacifica High’s football team has looked unstoppable on offense and punishing on defense so far this year.
The Mariners again showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with as league play nears.
The Mariners jumped out to an early lead en route to a 48-14 win over Garden Grove High last week at Garden Grove High. The Mariner offense compiled more than 450 yards of total offense, while the defense held Garden Grove scoreless in the first half.
BY TED APODACA: Pacifica High’s football team has looked unstoppable on offense and punishing on defense so far this year.
The Mariners again showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with as league play nears.
The Mariners jumped out to an early lead en route to a 48-14 win over Garden Grove High last week at Garden Grove High. The Mariner offense compiled more than 450 yards of total offense, while the defense held Garden Grove scoreless in the first half.
The Mariners led 29-0 at halftime and after a quick rally attempt by the Argonauts to open the second half, the Mariners closed strong with a 19-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Pacifica's quarterback, Ben Jefferson, again sparked the Mariners, with 209 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 138 yards and two more touchdowns.
Senior running back Isaak Togia added 105 rushing yards and added three touchdowns.
Pacifica scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, including a 99-yard drive after the Argonauts pinned them at the one yard line on a punt. Jefferson completed three passes for 38 yards on the drive and Togia had a 22 yard run that moved the ball out to the 38 yard line. Togia also capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run that put the Mariners up 14-0.
On Garden Grove’s ensuing possession, Pacifica junior Sean Blake intercepted a pass to set up another Mariner drive that was capped with a five-yard touchdown run by Togia.
Despite the victory, Mariner coach Vinnie Lopez felt the team played sloppy in too many aspects. Notably, he was concerned with too many penalties. Lopez said the focus will be to eliminate those penalties.
Garden Grove was able to put together a scoring drive to open the second half that cut the lead to 29-7. The Argonauts also recovered an onside kick and added a second touchdown that cut the lead to 29-14. However, the Mariners regained the momentum and closed out the game.
Garden Grove had touchdown receptions by Kevin Feliuaiand and Jose Carillo. Garden Grove will have a bye this week and will return to host Laguna Hills on Sept. 29. Pacifica hosts Aliso Niguel at 7 p.m. on Friday at Bolsa Grande High.
