El Camino Real Lacks Punch in a 10-6 Loss

It took Skip Giancanelli just two years to mold El Camino Real High into a league champion. That was back in 1971, the beginning of the glory years for Conquistador football.

Now, in his 19th year, Giancanelli is suffering through the gory years.

The Conquistadores, who entered Saturday night’s season-opener with one win in the last two years, lost to Canoga Park, 10-6, at Pierce College.

Where have you gone, Bob Glick, Mark Lovett, Kerry Gold, et. al.?

El Camino Real’s first series was a perfect example of the frustration Giancanelli has had to endure in recent years.

Conquistador quarterback Paul McFadden broke loose for 67 yards and an apparent touchdown only to stumble, fall and fumble the football. Teammate Paul Hasson recovered at the Canoga Park nine-yard line, but El Camino Real failed to score.

Canoga Park, Sunset League co-champs a year ago, got all the points it needed when Mike Conover ran one yard for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth period to cap an 80-yard drive.

Conover kicked the extra point and added three more points midway through the period when he converted a 47-yard field goal. The Hunters’ all-purpose player led all rushers with 124 yards on 33 carries, accounting for all but 50 yards of Canoga Park’s offense.

McFadden, a three-year starter, completed 10 of 20 passes for 160 yards and 1 touchdown. He was intercepted twice. McFadden also rushed for 84 yards on seven carries and led the Conquistadores to their only score late in the fourth quarter. An 80-yard drive culminated in his six-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Welsh as time expired.

El Camino Real outgained Canoga Park 319 yards to 174. The Hunters mustered just 51 first-half yards.

El Camino Real, 0-9 last season, had 174 first-half yards but 110 came on two plays--McFadden’s stumbling, fumbling scamper and a 43-yard McFadden completion to Kevin Green. That play put the ball on the Canoga Park 19 just before halftime, but McFadden misfired on four straight passes and the Hunters took over on downs.