PREP FOOTBALL : Empire League : El Dorado’s Defense Handcuffs Pacifica, 28-7

Pacifica High School had a reputation as one Orange County’s leading defensive teams, but El Dorado intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles to earn a 28-7 victory Thursday night in Bolsa Grande Stadium.

It was the Mariners’ first loss in the Empire League and pushed them into a first-place tie with Los Alamitos. Only six days ago, Pacifica looked virtually unbeatable in a 20-0 victory over Los Alamitos and needed only one more victory to clinch its seventh league title in nine seasons.

Pacifica’s defense had allowed only three points in five league games and an average of 6.4 points per game. But the Mariners found themselves trailing, 14-0, before they ran their first play.

El Dorado came into the game in a three-way tie with Loara and Esperanza for third place in the eight-team league at 3-2. The Golden Hawks needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. El Dorado had managed only one victory against Pacifica in six previous meetings.

“Emotionally, we had a little bit of an advantage,” said Carl Sweet, El Dorado coach. “Pacifica had a big game against Los Alamitos and had to come back on a Thursday night. We were in a must-win situation and the players responded.”

The Hawks set the tone for the evening on their opening drive, marching 69 yards with 10 running plays to open a 7-0 lead. Tailback Doug Ash gained 48 yards in the drive, and Rich Chamberlain scored the touchdown on a 10-yard run.

Pacifica’s Dan Blake fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his 22-yard line, and the Hawks’ Mike O’Higgins recovered to set up El Dorado’s second touchdown. Hawk quarterback Dan Sutherland threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Todd Jackson and it was 14-0 before Pacifica had gone into its first huddle.

“I told the kids all week long that we were playing a good team,” said Bill Craven, Pacifica coach. “I don’t know if they believed me, but they do now. We were flat all week, lost two starters in practice and had some flu.

“Our quarterback (Scott Pettit) couldn’t lift his arm above his shoulder, so I was hoping to play without throwing a pass. But when we got behind so quickly, we had to throw.”

Pettit completed only 6 of 15 pass attempts for 69 yards, but he was responsible for the Mariners’ touchdown, throwing a 26-yard pass to Willie Taylor late in the first half to cut El Dorado’s lead to 14-7.

El Dorado padded its lead to 21-7 with 2:31 left in the third quarter after fumble by Bill Hardesty. Hawk defensive end Brett Clark recovered the ball at the Mariner 12-yard and Chamberlain scored his second touchdown three plays later on a three-yard run.

Defensive back Jim Buck intercepted the first of three passes by the Mariners’ reserve quarterback, Brent Johnson, and returned it 27 yards for the final score. Afterward, Sweet considered his team’s playoff chances.

“We have to beat Los Alamitos next week, or this win doesn’t mean a thing,” Sweet said. “I was very happy with our defensive play. Any time you can hold a quality team like Pacifica to only seven points, you’ve made a good effort.”

ED--Chamberlain 10 run (Dean kick)

ED--Jackson 4 pass from Sutherland (Dean kick)

Pac--Taylor 26 pass from Pettit (Greene kick)

ED--Chamberlain 3 run (Dean kick)

ED--Buck 27 interception return (Dean kick)

Attendance--800