St. Paul Takes Advantage of Error-Prone Ocean View, 22-0

St. Paul High School capitalized on three early Ocean View mistakes Friday night to win an otherwise even nonleague football game, 22-0, in Cranham Memorial Stadium at Santa Fe Springs.

The Swordsmen (4-0) used big plays such as Mondo Costello’s 81-yard run, the second longest run from scrimmage in St. Paul history, to beat the Seahawks.

Ocean View (1-3) controlled the line of scrimmage most of the game, and Seahawk fullback Marc Ohm gained 89 yards on 22 carries mostly running up the middle. Ocean View’s defense held St. Paul quarterback John Scott to 70 yards passing.

St. Paul’s three touchdowns were the result of Ocean View mistakes, though. It didn’t take long for the Swordsmen to make things happen. After returning the opening kickoff 30 yards, Ocean View’s Dewayne Bandurak took a hard hit and fumbled. St. Paul’s Eric Nunez recovered at the Swordsmens 48 yard line.

Scott, who is coached by former San Jose State standout Steve Clarkson, hit two quick passes and ran the ball five yards to set up the first score. Costello then cut back over left tackle for the first of his two touchdowns, a 14-yard run. Frank Mazzotta kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 after 1:04.

Late in the first quarter, an Ocean View drive stalled and the Seahawks were unable to get off a punt, giving St Paul the ball at the Ocean View 33. Five plays later Scott faked a pitchout and found Rick Younger alone in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass play. St Paul made it 15-0 with a two point conversion as Jason Pantages connected with Younger on a broken pass play.

Ocean View’s third mistake came three plays into the second quarter when Miguel Ramirez intercepted a Chris Ibargary pass at the St. Paul 17.