Arroyo Grande Mixes It Up, Finds Match

Arroyo Grande High was playing more like Arroyo Poquito.

The Eagles were 3-4 overall, 0-2 in the Northern League and in danger of missing the playoffs after reaching the semifinals last season.

Changes had to be made.

Quarterback Sean Shields was moved to receiver and Cameron Walton was handed the reins to the Eagles’ ground-oriented misdirection offense.

They haven’t lost since.

Shields, 6 feet 4 and 220 pounds, has turned into Arroyo Grande’s lone deep threat, averaging 19.9 yards per catch.

Walton has completed 16 of 37 passes for 383 yards with four touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions, an asset for a quarterback in a no-frills offense.

“It was a spark that got us into the playoffs,” Coach Jon Huss said. “We needed to win the last two games [against Santa Maria and Righetti] and that pass-catch combination helped us.”

Arroyo Grande hosts Ventura in the Southern Section Division IV championship game tonight.

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Huss said defensive changes have been made in preparation for Tyler Ebell, Ventura’s record-setting running back.

Arroyo Grande played conservatively in a nonleague game against Ventura on Sept. 29. The result: 393 yards and six touchdowns in 44 carries for Ebell. Ventura won, 41-28.

Huss wouldn’t reveal the changes, but a good bet would be a bevy of run blitzes in an effort to cut off Ebell as soon as a play begins.

Huss, a graduate of Van Nuys High and a former running back at Stanford, likes what he sees in Ebell.

“You’re not the all-time leading high-school rusher in the country without being outstanding,” Huss said. “He’s intelligent, patient, durable and he’s confident that things will break for him.

“One guy asked me today if I’ve called around and asked for advice on how to stop him. I told him no. There hasn’t been anybody that’s really stopped him.”

Arroyo Grande, which stymied former Notre Dame High running back Justin Fargas while winning a section championship in 1997, will be short-handed against Ventura.

Backup running back Andrew Walkup, who has rushed for 509 yards, will not play because of an ankle injury.