Braves battle to end with Lancers
- Updated: August 18, 2018
El Cajon Valley drags down a Parker ball carrier on Friday. / photo by Melissa Honick
El Cajon Valley punts on Friday. / photo by Melissa Honick
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
FRANCIS PARKER 42, EL CAJON VALLEY 13
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – The Francis Parker Lancers took control early but the El Cajon Valley Braves still got to display their wares in a 42-13 home-opening defeat Friday night.
El Cajon Valley sophomore quarterback JOE MALONE stepped in and played with confidence, scoring on a 40-yard run in the fourth quarter.
El Cajon Valley passes against Parker. / photo by Melissa Honick
The Braves’ DAMARIUS HYDE added a one-yard scoring dive for ECV’s first score.
El Cajon Valley’s BRANDON ROBINSON had a 46-yard reception from Malone in the second quarter.
“Small mistakes led to big plays or prevented us from having big plays,” said El Cajon Valley coach NICK OSBORN following his first game leading the varsity. “We had many positives to build off of in this game; players playing with grit, no one giving up, and everyone staying healthy which is a testament to their hard work and conditioning this offseason.”
Francis Parker gambled right away and recovered an onside kick which was converted into a touchdown drive.
From there it was a one-man show, for the most part, as Parker star Ryan Sanborn was as advertised with three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.
The Braves, meanwhile, rushed for 156 yards as a team and finished with 247 yards of total offense.
Francis Parker’s Trevor Brokowski is tackled by El Cajon Valley. / photo by Melissa Honick
“Told them we need to take that into next week,” Osborn said. “Practice needs to be sharp and efficient. How you work in the dark always shows in the light. It’s an honor to coach them.”
The Lancers led 28-0 at halftime, as Carlsbad outscored the Braves by just one point in the second half. The Braves suffered some turnovers, which bodes well for potential improvement, giving their near-equal footing when they maintained possessions.
“Despite only 18 kids they all played the whole game with heart and determination,” Osborn said. “Typically in a game like that we’d see many guys going down but everyone stayed strong. Our team fought really well. The kids were tough.”
The Braves travel to face fellow Division 4 foe Coronado on Friday at 6:30, a game that the El Cajon Valley players at looking at as one of their most competitive challenges of the season.
