#1 Eastlake starts slow, breaks away for 21-7 victory over Wildcats

Eastlake receiver Travis Gardner breaks through the El Camino secondary. Photo by Jon Bigornia

Jude Isbell rushed 29 times for 115 yards and scored two touchdowns while quarterback Josh Palet connected with receiver Joseph Carpiso on a 35-yard touchdown strike to lead the top-ranked Eastlake Titans to a 21-7 road victory last Friday at El Camino High School.

The host Wildcats (1-2) controlled the scoreboard early with a 7-0 first quarter lead, but Isbell responded with a 21-yard touchdown run to tie the score and tacked on a  one-yard scoring run in the second quarter to give the visitors a 14-7 halftime edge.

The Titans (3-0) held onto their one touchdown lead until Carpiso (two catches, 67 yards) scored in the fourth quarter.

Eastlake rushed 50 times for 184 yards while passing for 177 yards. Travis Gardner had four catches for 51 yards while Darran Hall had one catch for 40 yards.

Adrian Tabula rushed eight times for 40 yards.

The Titan defense was active. Nathan Mitchell had one sack while Isiah Olave had one interception and Keifer Graham had one fumble recovery.  Eddy Campain led the victors with nine tackles while Gabe Tan and Olave each had eight stops.

On the season, Isbell has rushed 53 times for 313 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead EHS, which next plays at 16th-ranked Steele Canyon (2-1) on Friday.

Palet has thrown for 470 yards in three games with two touchdowns and two interceptions while Carpiso has five catches for 141 yards and two scores.

Steele Canyon has won two games in a row following a season opening loss to Cathedral Catholic. The Cougars defeated host Temescal Canyon, 24-10, last Friday and appear to be gaining momentum following a 34-10 victory against Bonita Vista on Sept. 9.

Prep Football Scoreboard
Friday, Sept. 16/Non-league

•Eastlake 21, El Camino 7
•Otay Ranch 49, Serra 13
•Chula Vista 17, Hilltop 10
•Bonita Vista 28, Grossmont 28
•Olympian 22, Torrey Pines 7
•Mar Vista 37, Francis Parker 0
•San Ysidro 23, El Cajon Valley 17
•Granite Hills 28, Sweetwater 14
•St. Augustine 38, Mater Dei Catholic 13
•San Diego 53, Castle Park 0
•San Marcos 30, Montgomery 0

Eight-Man
•Ocean View Christian Academy 50, Classical Academy 32
•Calvary Christian Academy (Vista) 56, Lutheran 18
•Calvary Murrieta 36, Calvary Christian Academy (Chula Vista) 0


San Diego Section Rankings
SD Sportswriters Association Poll

1. Eastlake (3-0), 2. Helix (2-1), 3. Oceanside (2-1), 4. Poway (3-0), 5. Mt. Miguel (3-0), 6. St. Augustine (3-0), 7. Cathedral Catholic (2-1),, 8. San Pasqual (3-0), 9. Mira Mesa (1-1), 10. Westview (3-0), 11. Madison (3-0), 12. La Costa Canyon (?), 13. Santana (3-0), 14. Valley Center (2-1), 15. Olympian (1-1). 16. Steele Canyon (2-1), 17. (tie)  Granite Hills (3-0), Bishop’s (2-0), Mar Vista (2-0), Pt. Loma (2-1), Valhalla (2-1), Torrey Pines (1-2), Vista (0-2)