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For the record, there is no quarterback controversy at Santa Paula. Senior Matt Martinez is the guy.
But on Friday against Lompoc Cabrillo, the quarterback of the hour was junior David Maldonado.
With Martinez struggling, Maldonado entered the game midway through the third quarter with Santa Paula trailing, 9-0.
Martinez’s first pass of the second half was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. On the Cardinals’ next possession, Martinez, who had three passes intercepted, fumbled on a sneak.
“He was just having one of those games,” Coach Ed Gomez said.
Santa Paula (2-0) responded favorably to the quarterback change, scoring 32 unanswered points for a 32-9 victory. Maldonado completed five of six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
It was the second come-from-behind victory for the Cardinals, which rallied from a 12-0 deficit in its opener to defeat Kilpatrick, 29-18.
“We’ve been real proud of the way they have responded,” Gomez said of his players. “We’re testing our character real early.”
Santa Paula has outscored opponents, 49-12, in the second half.
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