THE BIG GAME : El Camino Answers Doubters

Don’t count out El Camino for a fourth consecutive Avocado League--or a San Diego Section title.

The fourth-ranked Wildcats manhandled San Pasqual, third-ranked and previously undefeated, 28-7, and moved into a three-way tie with Torrey Pines (7-2, 5-1) and San Pasqual (8-1, 5-1) for first place.

The Eagles came into the game sky high after drubbing Torrey Pines, 42-28, two weeks ago. But they were no match for the Wildcats (8-1, 5-1) and Bryant Westbrook, who ran for two touchdowns had more than 200 yards of total offense.

“This is our house and our league,” said Westbrook, whose team was beaten by Torrey Pines, 22-3, in the league opener.

Said San Pasqual Coach Mike Dolan: “El Camino is tons better than Torrey Pines. “They thought they were going to win the CIF until they played Torrey Pines.

“All they did was (upset) El Camino. Now they’re taking it out on everybody else.”

Westbrook was the show in the first half.

After San Pasqual scored on a DeSale Wallace 19-yard run to even the score at seven with 5:30 remaining in the first half, Westbrook took over the game.

He returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards, cutting back across the grain after the kick pinned him in the left corner of the field.

“The kickoff return burst our bubble and opened the flood gates,” said Dolan. “We had three, four guys there. He got past our containment and we didn’t have anyone that could catch him. We didn’t have anyone that could tackle him either.”

Westbrook was back at it three minutes later when he took a pitchout from quarterback Trey Crayton, froze a linebacker or two and cut back across the field for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Normally a wingback, Westbrook has been playing more and more halfback lately.

“Our regular running back had been hurt a little,” Westbrook said. “I guess I can came in and did a pretty good job.”

Westbrook finished with 100 yards in only eight carries. Mike Flanagan, the starter, wasn’t too shabby either. He ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Flanagan and El Camino’s first touchdown came on a twisting run in which he broke three or four tackles and scampered into the end zone from 45 yards out.

But Westbrook and Flanagan were hardly the only reason why El Camino dominated San Pasqual. The Wildcat defense held the No. 1-ranked offense in the North County to 132 yards under its average. San Pasqual gained but 201 yards on 43 carries. Jamon Buggs finished with only 83 yards on 15 carries, 40 yards below his average.

San Pasqual beat Torrey Pines with option runs by quarterback Ryan Hill and bursts up the middle by Buggs and Wallace, but El Camino was having none of it.

“They didn’t do anything they haven’t done,” Dolan said. “They were just better than us.”

Actually, they were better and quicker than San Pasqual. Every time Buggs or Wallace came into the middle, they were hit by a linebacker or noseguard.

“I’m surprised we held them to seven points,” said Bill Kovacevich, El Camino’s defensive coordinator.

The only negative for El Camino occurred late in the fourth quarter when starting defensive lineman John Moore, a first team All-League selection last year, suffered a broken leg.

“That’s a big loss,” Kovacevich said. “We don’t have that many lineman to begin with.”

But for El Camino Coach Herb Meyer the victory was sweeter than most.

“That was as big a win as I’ve ever had here,” Meyer said.