3 Late Touchdowns Spark Edison

Edison spent much of the third quarter pounding away at Huntington Beach’s defense.

The Chargers then spent the fourth quarter punishing the Oilers with three touchdowns in a 30-7 Sunset League victory Friday at Orange Coast College.

Edison, ranked sixth in Orange County, didn’t score any points in the third quarter but did have a 14-play drive that took nearly 10 minutes and ended with a missed field-goal attempt.

Despite the lack of points, the drive softened the Huntington Beach defense, which hardly rested because the Oilers (2-4, 0-1) went three plays and punted on both third-quarter possessions.

Edison’s first play of the fourth quarter was a three-yard run by junior tailback Darin Pope that put the Chargers up, 17-7.

Huntington Beach’s slight hopes of a comeback didn’t last long as Oiler wide receiver Erik Cabrera fumbled after a 14-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage after Pope’s touchdown.

Linebacker Ryan Tritz gathered up Cabrera’s fumble and returned it 14 yards to give the Chargers (5-0-1, 1-0) a first down at the Huntington Beach 29. Josh Kogler scored from one yard seven plays later and Edison led, 23-7.

Pope completed the scoring with a 44-yard run with 4:27 left. The rushing play completed Pope’s night in which he gained a season-high 181 yards in 26 carries. Pope has rushed for 561 yards this season and Kogler had 57 yards in 13 carries to improve his total to 567 for the year.

Edison also got an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kyle Quatman to put the Chargers ahead, 10-7, midway in the second half.

“That was our plan, to run it down their throats and kill the clock, then hit them with some play-action passes,” Edison Coach Dave White said.

Edison’s defense was also solid, especially against Huntington Beach running back Damon Van Hoorebeke, who was held to 43 yards in 11 carries. He entered the game with 465 yards but was worn out from playing cornerback and returning kicks as well.

Van Hoorebeke’s rushing performance wasn’t as good as it sounds. He had 45 yards in one carry and was held to minus-two in the other 10.