Braves donate to Centurions’ cause
- Updated: September 12, 2015
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-12-15) — If not for seven turnovers, Friday (Sept. 11) night’s home opener for El Cajon Valley might have been more favorable for the Braves. Instead the visiting University City Centurions prevailed 40-14 to take the non-league victory.
El Cajon Valley’s Luis Morales (21) runs a pattern Friday night as Charles Smith looks to pass. / Don De Mars Photography
Ten minutes into the game, University City led 14-0. Up to that point the Braves never touched the ball. The Centurions extended their advantage on a 1-yard TD run by quarterback Drake Aguon with 4:05 left in the half to make it 21-0.
Braves running back and East County leader NATHAN McCULLOUGH bolted for 184 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries.
In the fourth quarter McCullough darted 67 yards for a scoring dash. The 5-foot-6, 185-pound three-year starter and senior captain said,” This is us – at the end of the day nobody is going to help us but us. The leadership is also better. I enjoy coming to practice.”
McCullough plays both running back and linebacker.
El Cajon Valley’s defense prepares for a goal line stand against visiting University City on Friday night. / Don De Mars Photography
TYLER PANELL blocked a Centurion kick, ANDREW KANA logged a sack and a fumble recovery, ADEL MORALES also recovered a fumble and CHARLES SMITH hauled in an interception.
On the flip side the Centurions recorded 19 tackles by Grant Ruthenberg, who also logged a sack and two fumble recoveries. His cousin Jake Jones had 5 tackles and notched three sacks.
“They did a better job of preparing than we did,” said El Cajon Valley coach PARRIS PISIONA. “But we’re resilient. We’ll be okay.”
SALESIAN 35, CHRISTIAN 21 – Perennial power Christian High was dealt a rare defeat in the non-league faceoff against the host Mustangs of Salesian High of Los Angeles in Friday night’s (Sept. 11) encounter.
The Patriots (2-1), who have lost only three games in the last two years (27-3 overall), could not keep stride against the 3-0 Mustangs, who punched in 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Christian led 14-13 at halftime, but still found difficulty short circuiting the Mustangs’ offense.
“We didn’t play at the level we’re used to playing at,” said Christian offensive coordinator DAVID BEEZER. “And it cost us.”
Patriots quarterback DAVID TODD JEREMIAH threw touchdown passes of 32 yards to NICK SEXTON and 40 yards to THEO GOODWIN. Running back ADRIAN PETTY carried the ball 12 times for 88 yards and a score.
Sexton had another catch for 89 yards, but didn’t score.
