The Division I San Diego Section rankings are starting to take shape and the defending champion Eastlake Titans once again appear to be part of the division’s upper crust after thrashing visiting El Camino, 34-6, last Friday.
The Titans are 3-0 and now enter the meat of their non-league schedule with upcoming games against likewise unbeaten Steele Canyon (Friday, homecoming) and three-time defending Division III champion Cathedral Catholic (Oct. 1 in Del Mar).
“We’re playing well right now,” EHS head coach John McFadden said. “We’re still making mistakes but making less each week. We’re progressing each week.”
The Titans rolled up 418 rushing yards and 118 passing yards for a total offensive output of 536 yards against the Wildcats (1-2).
Jude Isbell continues to sparkle in the young season as he rushed 16 times for 199 yards and scored two touchdowns, including one jaunt of 82 yards and another that went for 40 yards. In three games, he has rushed for 506 yards and scored five TDs.
Chris Fletcher also scored twice against El Camino — both of the long-range variety. Fletcher scored on a 75-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Hines and later ripped off a 67-yard scoring run.
Fernando Cabico took one rushing play on the night and scored from 24 yards out.
Hines was the model of efficiency, completing four of five attempts for 103 yards and one touchdown. Josh Palet completed his only passing attempt of the night for 15 yards.
The Titans rushed the ball by committee, with 12 players taking hand-offs.
Fletcher rushed four times for 71 yards while Hines had six carries for 35 yards and Zach Bannon handled the ball six times for 31 yards.
Travis Gardner caught two passes for 17 yards while Darran Hall had one catch for 15 yards and Bannon caught one pass for 11 yards.
Gardner also averaged 41 yards on five punts, nailing a longest effort of 48 yards.
Marcelo Urrutia had four touchbacks on six kickoffs and was 4-of-5 on PAT conversions.
Kiki Fejeran led the EHS defense with seven tackles while teammate Jesse Lapid had six stops.
Isbell, who plays both ways, played on last year’s junior varsity team. “I knew by watching how athletic he was that he would do well,” McFadden said. “But I have to be honest in saying that he was exceeded my expectations so far.”
Through three games, the Titans are averaging 368 rushing yards per game and 460 total offensive yards per game and will likely need every yard against Steele Canyon, which owns decisive wins already this season against Cathedral Catholic (35-12), Bonita Vista (28-14) and Serra (56-7).
On the prowl
The Cougars will test their No. 5 section ranking at third-ranked Eastake in what should be one of the top games in San Diego County in the early part of the season.
Jake Wragg continues to be a catalyst for Steele Canyon after scoring on runs of seven and 32 yards in his team’s latest victory. Quarterback Brad Boehmke (169 passing yards) threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Kyle Sager and later scored on a one-yard run.
The Cougars, who set school records for most points in one game, longest pass completion and PAT conversions, jumped all over the Conquistadors for a 21-0 first quarter lead. Jordan Gofigan returned a blocked punt 40 yards to highlight the host’s defensive prowess on the night.
Head coach Ron Boehmke substituted freely in the second half but still tacked on 21 points on TDs by Cody Wells (a record-setting 84-yard pass from reserve QB T.J. Carlyon), Trevor Snipes (six-yard run) and Colton Hubbs (four-yard run).
Daniel Uribe set a record with an eight-for-eight showing on extra-point conversions.
Steele Canyon racked up 456 total offensive yards in the runaway victory.
The Cougars appear only to have gained momentum since opening the season with the memorable victory against Cathedral Catholic. Wragg leads all East County players with eight touchdowns — five rushing and three receiving.
Steele Canyon, which could make inroads to this year’s Division II championship game at Qualcomm Stadium, is averaging 209 rushing yards per game and 182 passing yards per game for a total offensive output of 391 yards per game.
Boehmke is averaging 154 passing yards per game while Wragg is averaging 103 rushing yards per game. Wells is averaging 83 receiving yards per game.
“They have a very good team and are well coached — it should be a barn-burner,” McFadden said.
