POWAY – Nothing takes the edge off for a coach like dropping 45 points on your rival before halftime.
Poway coach Damian Gonzalez, whose team is vying for one of the top four berths in the Division I playoffs, cautioned before last night's game against intra-district rival Rancho Bernardo that anything can happen in a rivalry game. And though the struggling Broncos had just two wins, Gonzalez was admittedly skittish. That was, at least until halftime.
“They have nothing to lose,” said Gonzalez, whose Titans look to defend their Division I title. “We do but I'd say by halftime I was able relax a bit.”
Nick Ricciardulli rushed for four touchdowns and quarterback John Jensen-Johnson threw a pair of scoring passes in Poway's 59-26 win over Rancho Bernardo.
With the victory, Poway (7-3, 5-0) claimed its first outright Palomar League title since 1980 and all but assured itself a first-round bye in the postseason.
The Titans forced four fumbles and a pair of interceptions to complement an offense that moved up and down the field at will.
“We're peaking at the right time,” said Ricciardulli, who rushed for 185 yards on 16 carries and touchdown runs of 8, 59, 44 and 25 yards. “We're still Poway. We're still the champs. We're ready for the playoffs.”
It's a vastly different Poway team than the one that won last year's Division I title. With 34 seniors graduated and just five returning starters, Gonzalez said he's especially proud of this year's squad.
“It's a special group,” Gonzalez said. “We weren't picked to do much. I think it's a testament to just how hard these kids have been working.”
Poway's defense also put points on the board. Leading 14-6 after one quarter, Poway sophomore Nick Sharpe picked up a fumble and returned it 29 yards for the score, sparking a 31-point second quarter.
“With each win we're getting better and better,” said Sharpe, who also had an interception. “Our offense is clicking. Our defense is lights out. It's a whole new season now.”
After Rancho Bernardo (2-8, 1-4) cut into the lead with a 43-yard touchdown run from Max Lai in the second quarter, the Titans answered on the next offense play with an 83-yard pass from Jensen-Johnson to Brett Thomas.
Steven Reed caught Jensen-Johnson's other touchdown pass. Streaking free down the sideline, Reed bobbled the ball three times before making a circus catch in the end zone. Poway also got a rushing touchdown from Zach Harman.
Billy Bradshaw and Michael Techaira added late rushing touchdowns for the Broncos. Ramtin Farzanfar recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for Rancho Bernardo's first score of the game.
