Paape, Norsemen give Vaqueros the boot

By ECS Staff
Updated: October 22, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

VALHALLA 31, EL CAPITAN 7

LAKESIDE (10-22-16) — After self-imploding with seven turnovers last week against Grossmont, the Valhalla Norsemen got back on track Friday evening (Oct. 21) at El Capitan in a Grossmont Hills League game.

Upon arrival, the Norsemen team had to take a long hike to the locker room for pre-game prep. That jaunt must have tired the them, because it took awhile for their offense to wake up.

JEROME JOHNSON rushes for Valhalla Friday night. / Don De Mars photography

Junior quarterback DENNIS DAHLIN (14-28-3, 273 yards, 2 TDs) was 0-for-8- with two interceptions to start the game, but got revved up and going late in the first quarter, perhaps ignited by JACOB PAAPE’s 52-yard record-setting field goal to give Valhalla a 3-0 lead with 9:12 left in the first quarter.

A few weeks ago, Paape booted a 51-yard field goal, the longest (until tonight) in Valhalla history.

The game started with a bang for the Vaqueros, at least momentarily.

Beginning their first offensive series at their 20-yard line, freshman quarterback WICK HAUSER (17-30-1, 161 yards) threw a dart to junior wide receiver STAR IULI for a 10-yard gain, but a vicious hit by junior defensive back TY SCHIMKE knocked the ball loose, where it was pounced upon by Valhalla linebacker JOSH HERNANDEZ at the El Cap 30-yard line, giving the Norsemen great field position.

Three plays later, senior free safety COLTON SANDOVAL returned the favor, picking off an errant pass at the Vaqueros’ 16-yard line.

Valhalla’s defense was up to the task, forcing a three-and-out, highlighted by a two-man gang tackle of the ball carrier by defensive end BRANDON LAFFEW and linebacker DYLAN MARSH for a 2-yard loss.

El Capitan’s ANTONIO OLIVIERI is upended Friday night by Valhalla. / Don De Mars photography

Following Paape’s long field goal, the Lakeside crew got its offense in gear when Iuli broke free for a 25-yard romp to the Valhalla 40-yard line, stopped by a touchdown-saving tackle by senior defensive back ANTHONY PORTILLO.

On the next play, sophomore running back YAPHET YOKLEY sprinted for another 14 yards to the Norsemen 26-yard line.

The drive fizzled when BRENT BURNETT and JOSH McNISH-HEIDER buried the ball carrier for no gain on first down, senior defensive back CONNOR MOSER defensed a pass on the next play, and Burnett stuffed the runner on 3^rd down.

A 40-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker SAL MANGIAVILLANO was barely short, keeping the home team off the scoreboard.

It didn’t take long for El Cap to get a chance to take the lead when Sandoval got his second interception of the game deep in Valhalla territory at the 27-yard line.

Valhalla and El Capitan battle for a pass Friday night. / Don De Mars photography

A quick-hitter from Hauser to wide receiver BENNY VIDALEZ got the Vaqueros to the Norsemen 18-yard line, but back-to-back stuffs by linebackers MILES PANZARELLA and Marsh turned the ball over to Valhalla on downs.

And that’s when Dahlin got it in gear.

A 33-yard pass to senior wide receiver BRANDON FULLER moved the ball to the El Cap 37-yard line.

Three plays later, Dahlin led a sprinting Paape perfectly for a 19-yard gain to the 11-yard line. Three doses of senior running back JEROME JOHNSON to the right, to the left and up the middle culminated in a 1-yard TD run. After the multi-talented Paape’s kick cleared the uprights (4-4 PAT), Valhalla led 10-0 with just 12 seconds remaining in the first period.

Valhalla scored again early in the second stanza after Dahlin found Paape at the Vaqueros’ 4-yard line for a 33-yard gain. Johnson bulled into the end zone on the next play, upping the vistors’ lead to 17-0 at the 9:13 mark.

The Norsemen took a 24-0 advantage before halftime when Dahlin connected with senior DJ MADARA for 34-yards to the El Capitan 20, and on the next play found Moser open in the end zone for a 20-yard TD.

After a scoreless third quarter, Dahlin aired one out – to the tune of 62 yards, looking for Fuller. Defensive back Yokley battled Fuller for the ball, but Fuller came away with it and made it to the end zone, putting the game out of reach 31-0, with 10:45 left to play.

Valhalla’s DENNIS DAHLIN throws a pass Friday night against El Capitan. / Don De Mars photography

Hauser answered with his own bomb into Valhalla territory, but it was intercepted by ROLAND GLOVER.

The El Cap defense stepped up, determined to give its offense another chance to score.

Junior linebacker RONNY MILLER and senior linebacker OSCAR VALENZUELA smothered the runner for a 2-yard loss on first down.

Not to be outdone, junior linebacker COLE ROELOFSZ stuffed the ball carrier for a 5-yard loss on second down. An incomplete pass forced Valhalla to punt.

A penalty gave the Vaqueros the ball at the Valhalla 42-yard line. Hauser lofted a sideline pass that was caught by Vidalez who turned up field and found pay dirt, allowing the home team to avoid the shutout. Mangiavillano’s PAT was good, making it 31-7 to end the scoring with 7:45 left in the game.

Of note, in the third quarter, Vidalez, playing running back, burst through the middle for what appeared to be about a 10-yard gain where he was surrounded by at least five Valhalla defenders converging on him like a rugby scrum. Vidalez must have some low gears and a lot of horsepower because he moved the scrum forward for another 13 yards. It was quite a sight.

For Valhalla, Laffew took over for East County’s sack leader, junior defensive end JACE MANNING, who is out for the season with a leg injury, and did him proud, picking up two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Linebacker Marsh led the Norsemen defense with five tackles for loss.