THE BIG GAME : Oceanside’s Patience to Be Tested

John Carroll, Oceanside football coach, knows what he’s up against tonight in the ninth-ranked San Marcos Knights (3-1, 1-0)--an option offense that will attempt to hold the ball for most of the game.

That’s fine with Carroll as long as it’s close, and his junior quarterback, John Portugal, can have the ball last.

San Pasqual tried the ball-control routine last week on the Pirates (3-1, 1-0). It worked for the most part--Oceanside trailed, 26-24, in the closing minutes--but San Pasqual made the mistake of leaving too much time on the clock for Portugal and the Pirates’ four-receiver offense. Oceanside won, 31-26, after Portugal led the Pirates on 68-yard drive in the final two minutes.

Two weeks earlier, Castle Park made the same mistake and lost to Oceanside 18-17 on a last-minute Portugal touchdown pass.

San Marcos Coach Ken Broach is hoping tonight’s Avocado League game--at San Marcos (7:30)--will be over by the time Portugal gets the ball in the closing minutes.

“He’s really come through under pressure,” Broach said. “I’m really impressed by him.”

Carroll also has been impressed with Portugal, who had not played quarterback until last season. He didn’t take a varsity snap until the sixth game last year, but he’s started every game since.

Through four games, Portugal, also a pitcher on Oceanside’s baseball team, has completed 62 of 131 passes (47%) for 831 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior Chris Warner has been Portugal’s favorite target, catching 19 passes for 278 yards. But Portugal, 6-feet and 180 pounds, has spread the wealth, finding seniors Brian McGehee 16 times and Damon Marrero on 11 occasions.

Portugal can also run a little bit. He ran eight times, mostly on scrambles, for 59 yards last week.

“If his receivers are covered, he always seems to find a seam,” Broach said.

Mark Frazier, Broach’s fullback, has found a few seams himself in the past two seasons. He rushed for 1,591 and 16 touchdowns last season and already has scored nine touchdowns and rushed for 487 yards this year.

“He’s got some pressure on him this year, “ Broach said “More people are keying on him.”

Carroll said he is definitely aware of Frazier’s skills.

“He’s not a slasher,” Carroll said. “He’s more of a hit-you, drive-you and wear-you-down type of runner. I think everyone knows, if you have to stop anyone on their team, it’s Frazier first and the quarterback second.”

The Knights’ quarterback Chase Bivin can run or pass. In San Marcos’ 35-12 victory over Carlsbad last week, Bivin ran six times for 74 yards and completed just one pass in five attempts. However, it went to Denny McAdams for an 80-yard touchdown.

For the season, Bivin has completed 20 of 39 for 383 yards and three touchdowns, all to McAdams.