ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Esperanza’s Parrish Cools Down Indio

Esperanza High School quarterback Dave Parrish proved to have as hot a passing arm as the desert weather Friday night, as the Aztecs opened their season with a 32-0 victory over Indio in front of 2,000 spectators at White Stadium.

The temperature at the start of the game was 98 degrees. Parrish, a junior making his first varsity start, completed 17 of 28 passes for 321 yards. His favored target was Pat Swanson, who had eight receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown.

“My offensive line did a terrific job,” Parrish said. “They gave me all the time I needed in the pocket. I had chances to hit my receivers and didn’t, but overall I think our offense did very well for the first game.”

Esperanza controlled the ball for more than 18 minutes in the first half, but led only 10-0. Ryan Clark made a 37-yard field goal with 7 minutes 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Parrish scored the Aztecs’ only first-half touchdown on a four-yard run with 8:57 remaining.

The Aztec defense held Indio to 47 yards in the first half and repeatedly harassed Indio quarterback Josh Mead in the second half. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Scott Dobashi intercepted a Mead pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.

Jamal Footman led Esperanza with 86 yards rushing and scored on a five-yard run with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Aztecs gained 441 yards in total offense and held Indio to 142 yards, only 33 on the ground.