Rancho Alamitos’ Vickers Scores 5 Times

David Vickers rushed for three touchdowns, returned an interception for six points and scored a fifth touchdown after a fumble recovery as Rancho Alamitos beat Pacifica, 36-21, in a Garden Grove League game Thursday at Bolsa Grande High.

The senior running back/linebacker rushed for 228 yards for the Vaqueros (7-0, 4-0), who ran off 36 consecutive points after trailing, 7-0.

Vickers rushed for touchdowns of 44, 66 and 12 yards, intercepted two passes, one of which he returned 34 yards for a score, and picked up a Pacifica fumble, returning it 70 yards for a touchdown.

The victory puts Rancho Alamitos another step closer to its second consecutive Garden Grove League title and also provided a measure of revenge for the Vaqueros. They won their first 12 games in 1996 before losing to Pacifica, 21-6, in the Division VIII semifinals.

Rancho Alamitos started slowly. Vickers fumbled on the second play from scrimmage and Pacifica (3-2-2, 1-2) cashed in when Louie Ala scored from seven yards.

Pacifica forced the Vaqueros to punt on their next possession and took over in Rancho Alamitos territory.

But Mariner quarterback Matt Reis fumbled on the next play, setting up Vickers’ first touchdown, a 44-yard run on a trap play. After Pacifica missed a field goal, Vickers scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 66-yard run, picking up about 60 of that after it appeared he would be tackled.

An interception two plays later resulted in his second score in 43 seconds and the Vaqueros had a 21-7 lead with 8 minutes 10 seconds left in the half.

Pacifica scored twice in the fourth-quarter on touchdown passes from Reis to Jason Simpson.