SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION II FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Overlooked Defense Leads El Toro Past Lynwood, 27-7

Usually kept in the background by the explosive offense led by quarterback Rob Johnson, El Toro High School’s defense took center stage Friday night as the Chargers advanced to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs with a 27-7 victory over Lynwood at Lynwood High School.

The Chargers (11-1) will meet unbeaten Paramount (12-0) next Saturday at a site to be determined.

Johnson was effective against Lynwood (6-6), completing 11 of 22 passes for 128 yards with no interceptions. Running backs Bret Sanders and Jason Rojas combined for 152 yards and three of El Toro’s touchdowns on 31 carries.

Fittingly, El Toro defensive back Jason Bailey scored the Chargers’ other touchdown, returning an interception 44 yards.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Sanders fumbled on El Toro’s first play from scrimmage.

Lynwood took over at the El Toro 36, but after three plays, the Knights had only moved it one yard and were forced to punt.

El Toro got on the board with a 10-play, 55-yard drive that culminated with a three-yard Rojas run with 6:08 left in the half.

Lynwood’s Ivy Russell provided the only spark for the Knights when he returned the second-half opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 7.

El Toro responded with a five-play, 57-yard drive, with Sanders scoring on a 30-yard run. After Bailey forced a fumble on Lynwood’s next possession at the Knights’ 32-yard line, the Chargers scored in six plays with Sanders going in from 16 yards out.