Cougars, Dixon Roll To Victory

After two frustrating ties to open the season, Capistrano Valley earned its first victory Friday night, 45-6, over Foothill in a nonleague game at Capistrano Valley High.

The Cougars racked up 462 yards as sophomore quarterback Jeff Dixon completed seven of 13 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Dixon entered the game among the top-rated passers in the county.

Ryan Brown and Jermaine McKinney led Capistrano Valley’s ground game. Brown finished with 95 yards in five carries and had two touchdowns. McKinney had 136 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown run.

It didn’t take Capistrano Valley long to get rolling after Foothill fumbled the opening kickoff.

The Cougars recovered the fumble and scored three plays later when Dixon found Ryan Gustafson open on a 12-yard swing pass. Brown ran for the two-point conversion to give Capistrano Valley an 8-0 lead a minute into the game.

And that was just the beginning for Brown.

On Capistrano Valley’s next possession, Brown ran 22 yards through several Foothill defenders for a touchdown that put the Cougars on top, 15-0. A 35-yard pass from Dixon to Craig Tortorici set up the score.

After a one-yard touchdown run by Gustafson, Dixon and Tortorici hooked up again. This time the result was a 25-yard touchdown that gave the Cougars a 28-0 lead.

Foothill, still searching for its first victory, was led by wide receiver Chad Concolino, who caught seven passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. Concolino entered the game second in the county in catches.