Taft Clobbers El Camino Real in 46-14 Win : High school football: Ferguson passes for 193 yards, runs for 76.

The Taft High quarterback used the term “clicking,” though El Camino Real might opt for ticking.

An offensive explosion took place Friday night, and afterward, El Camino Real was left to pick up the pieces. Shrapnel was everywhere.

“Everything was clicking,” Taft quarterback Mike Ferguson said. “We put in a lot of new wrinkles this week. . . . We exploded.”

No doubt about it, Ferguson was the mad bomber as the Toreadors took apart El Camino Real, 46-14, in a wild North Valley League game at Taft.

Ferguson, who is often overshadowed by Taft’s four All-City Section players, had a career night. The 5-foot-10 senior completed 11 consecutive passes over one stretch and 12 of 16 overall for 193 yards and one touchdown.

He also sparked the Taft ground attack by rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns in seven carries. But then, just about everybody had a big night for Taft (7-0, 4-0 in league play), which seems to get stronger each week.

“We used every weapon we had,” Ferguson said. “Everything worked out perfectly.”

To wit: Tailback Jerry Brown rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns in 17 carries, while receiver Andre DeSaussure caught six passes for 85 yards and scored on a nine-yard reverse.

Taft jumped to a 25-7 lead with 4 minutes 49 seconds left in the first half on an eight-yard touchdown run by Brown. Yet El Camino Real quarterback Ryan Venturine--who completed six of 20 passes for 83 yards and had three passes intercepted--kept the Conquistadores alive by scoring on a 35-yard quarterback draw with 17 seconds left in the half.

After moving to within 25-14, however, El Camino Real (5-2, 2-2) never again threatened. The Conquistadores were held to 89 yards in the second half as Taft blew the game open.

“We knew they’d want more in the second half,” said Taft defensive back Dwyer McKeith, who intercepted two passes and has six for the season. “We just said, ‘No sir.’ ”

Taft’s offense was particularly impressive. Throw out a one-play possession as time ran out in the first half and the Toreadors scored on seven their first eight possessions.

The damage was palpable: Taft rolled up 441 yards of offense.

“This was our best game yet,” Taft Coach Troy Starr said. “I knew we were going to put it together. I think we’re improving every game.”