Football team wins sixth straight game after beating Palomar
Running back Taz Tauaese (No.4) dives into the end zone after a 44-yard run in the third quarter of the EC-Palomar football game at Murdock Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 27. The Warriors won 42-35. Photo credit: Jack Kan
Crowds from both teams braved the crisp weather to see El Camino and Palomar go head-to-head and battle it out to see who would come out victorious.
The EC Warriors took on the Palomar Comets on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at Murdock Stadium where they ultimately beat the Comets, 42-35, for their sixth straight win of the season.
The Warriors opening drive was capped off by a touchdown reception from quarterback, Grant Ferrauilo, to wide receiver Kishawn Berry for an 8-yard pass to the end zone.
“It was a good start for the team, we fed off that and it was pretty good for us. I was wide open so it was an easy catch,” Berry said.
El Camino utilized both of their quarterbacks as Aaron Thomas stepped in to play during the second quarter.
Shortly after, the Warriors scored another touchdown by way of a 63-yard pass to Shawn Prejean, giving them a 14-0 lead against the Comets.
“The guys are quality players and we just kind of go with the hot hand and who we think is the hot hand and tonight Aaron was the guy,” EC head coach Gifford Lindheim said regarding the rotation of both starting quarterbacks.
Things began to look up for the Comets as they scored their first touchdown off of a 9-yard pass from quarterback, Connor Curry, to wide receiver Logan Gamble, shortening the Warriors lead, 14-7.
Mid-way through the second quarter, the Warriors lost one of their running backs, Raymond Graham, after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury during one of the plays.
As far as any updates on the severity of Graham’s injury, Lindheim said “We’re not sure, we’re going to go ahead and see what the doctors say and take a look at him. Hopefully it’s not major.”
Running back, Taz Tauaese, stepped up to the plate and scored two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to give the Warriors a 28-7 lead against Palomar.
After tearing his ACL last year, Tauaese said that this game was the first that he’s “actually played in a lot of reps.”
“I took a lot of advantage over all the reps I was receiving, so [there was] a lot of excitement. We got a good win tonight,” Tauaese said.
Palomar’s offense continued to struggle after fumbling the ball three times, however they did gain some momentum after a 38-yard touchdown to wide receiver, Johnny Armentrout, late in the third quarter.
After three consecutive touchdown drives by the Comets, the Warriors answered with 1-yard touchdown run from running back, Jeff Hansen.
Palomar did answer with a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver, Logan Gamble, with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter.
Despite Palomar’s efforts, they fell short with El Camino winning the game, 42-35.
“You know, I don’t think we played up to our capabilities, we’re better than what we showed tonight. We didn’t practice very well this past week, we had opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of and that’s the difference in the game,” Palomar head coach, Joe Early said.
El Camino’s next game will be against the Fullerton Hornets on Saturday, Nov. 3 at home at 1 p.m.
Coach Lindheim shared his thoughts on the upcoming game and said, “In order to be the best, you got to beat the best and those guys are the best. We’re going to give it our shot, our best shot.”
Update: The photos in this story were updated on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 9:25 p.m.
