Smith Leads Esperanza Past Oilers

Esperanza running back Jamie Smith rushed for 113 yards, caught four passes for 92 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the fifth-ranked Aztecs to a 34-14 Sunset League victory over Huntington Beach Friday at Huntington Beach High.

Smith scored touchdowns on runs of nine and 25 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Grant Wagner to lead the first-place Aztecs (6-2, 3-0).

Esperanza scored on its first possession capping a 67-yard, five-play drive with Smith’s first touchdown with 10 minutes 4 seconds left in the first quarter. Four minutes later, the Aztecs scored again on a 36-yard field goal by Nathan Fikse. The field goal was set up by the first of two Jarrod Schuster interceptions.

Huntington Beach (2-5-1, 0-2-1) mustered little offense in the first half but made it 9-7 on a blocked punt in the end zone by Adam Nyssen in the second quarter.

Esperanza scored on its first possession of the second half after Schuster’s second interception, driving 47 yards in six plays, the final one Smith’s 23-yard touchdown reception.

Huntington Beach scored its only offensive touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Jeff Lineberger to Erik Cabrera midway through the fourth quarter.