Slow starts have plagued the El Camino football team all season. On Saturday versus Mt. San Antonio College, the Warriors trailed 14-0 midway through the first quarter after the Mounties’ Aaren Vaughns returned a punt 65 yards for the score.

EC was held scoreless for three quarters as Mt. SAC kicker Brandon Garcia connected on four field goals to get past the Warriors, 26-13. The Warriors fall to 3-6 on the season and 2-3 in conference play.

“We had a few good drives, we just couldn’t finish,” coach John Featherstone said. “We didn’t make the plays we needed to make, at the right time. We will come back on Monday and work hard.”

With starting quarterback Jorge Hernandez out with a concussion, the Warriors mixed in freshman back-up quarterbacks Blaise Booth and Brent Boehm but the offense struggled to get into the end zone while the Mounties capitalized on EC turnovers.

Boehm led the Warriors to a late rally in the fourth quarter with an 11-play, 91-yard drive capped by freshman running back Tre Searcy’s nine-yard touchdown run. On the following drive, Boehm hit sophomore wide receiver Chad Washington for a 28-yard gain, setting up an 18-yard touchdown reception by freshman wide receiver Isaac Cox.

“We got off to a slow in the first half but we kept fighting until the end,” Washington said.

The Warriors will play their final game of the season next Saturday versus long-time rival Long Beach City College. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Redondo Union High school.

The game is set to be Featherstone’s last game at the helm as he will retire after 31 years with the program. However, Featherstone hinted of a possible return next season for the opening of the new Murdock Stadium.

“My wife and I are going to travel after the season and then I’ll make my mind up in March or April,” Featherstone said. “I want to be back and christen the new stadium. I’m really looking forward to that.”