CARLSBAD – The El Camino football team feels it deserves a chance at the section playoffs.
The Wildcats enhanced their playoff hopes last night by defeating Carlsbad 23-13 at La Costa Canyon High.
The win over Carlsbad was the first against the Lancers since 1999 and was El Camino's third victory in the Palomar League in its last four games.
“We absolutely think we are worthy of a playoff spot,” El Camino coach Trace Deneke said. “There is credibility in the North County and when you play the teams that we do week in and week out, we deserve a little consideration.”
El Camino's game-winning score came with 5:22 left when Joseph Daris polished off a 73-yard drive by scoring on a 4-yard run to make it 20-13.
The Wildcats finished the scoring with Casey McPerry's 39-yard field goal.
“That game-winning drive was all due to just consistency from the offensive line,” El Camino quarterback Collin Jones said. “It was a tough year and it was a good way to top it off if we don't get into the playoffs.”
Jones was 10-of-16 passing for 180 yards and a touchdown. El Camino scored its first points when running back Eric Paopao ran into the end zone from 6 yards out to make the score 7-6 with 2:30 to go in the first quarter.
El Camino increased its lead to 13-6 when Jones connected with Joshua Massengale on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 3:12 to go in the first half.
Carlsbad scored on its first possession when quarterback Michael Leonard sneaked it in from 2 yards out. Leonard later left the game with a knee injury, making it difficult for the Lancers to keep up with El Camino.
“When Leonard went out, we had to change our angles on defense,” Deneke said. “We condensed our defense and focused on putting pressure between the tackles because when Leonard is in there he can maneuver around pretty well.”
The loss dropped Carlsbad to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the Palomar League. It also resulted in Carlsbad's first non-winning regular season since 2003. El Camino finished its season 3-7 overall and 3-2 in the Palomar League.
