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The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
Cabrillo made program history and spoiled Compton’s Homecoming in one fell swoop with a 21-13 win at Compton College on Friday night.
“I have been thinking about this since my freshman year, and I am so happy we finally got [a Moore League win],” said Cabrillo senior wide receiver Isaiah Miranda.
Cabrillo coach Shane Gonzales was sick all week and showed up just before game time.
“I am proud of the boys, they practiced hard all week, and I was not there all week, so hats off to the coaching staff for running the show while I have been out dealing with some health stuff,” said Gonzales.
With a game of such high emotions and stakes for both teams, each were a little off in their opening drives and special teams. Cabrillo sophomore quarterback Danny Lopez shook off a shaky start and got his team going with an option pitch to senior Xavier Randle for the first score of the game. Miranda would dash for the pylon on a fake PAT to score two. Cabrillo took an early 8-0 lead, with 6:19 left in the first quarter.
The Jaguars forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and two quick plays later senior running back Antonio Elam up the middle to the 10-yard line before Keyon Smith scampered into the end zone on a jet sweep. Cabrillo led 14-0 with 5:35 left in the first quarter.
Compton got some big chunk runs by sophomore Nate Willard, and sophomore quarterback Francis Madera connected with sophomore wide out Ronnie Mixon for a big gain outside the Jaguars’ red zone. On 4th & 5 with a minute left in the quarter, Willard barreled his way into the redzone. Eight seconds in the second quarter, Willard rumbled his way in for the score to make it 14-7.
With under two minutes left in the first half, the Jaguars had a golden opportunity to score after Compton fumbled the ball right outside their red zone. Lopez found Elam off the screen for an immediate score, but a block-in-the-back removed the score. Compton’s defense bent, but did not break, halting Cabrillo’s offense, so it was 14-7 at half.
Offensives continued to stall, and defensives kept making plays for the majority of the third quarter. Late into the third, starting at their own 14, Cabrillo’s run game would tear up chunks. Elam led the charge, then Lopez on a read option found green grass to get to midfield. Then, a screen to Smith found Jaguars knocking outside the red zone, once again.
However, the Compton defense was giving fits to the Jaguars every other play. Facing a 4th & 3 at the 34, Cabrillo handed it off to old reliable, Elam, and he dashed his way in for the score. The Jaguars converted the PAT, and they led 21-7 with 1:06 left in the third.
“It feels great,” said Elam. “I am proud of the lower classmen, they have been working every day. They all came in inexperienced and now they [are] doing big things for us.”
Up two scores, Cabrillo kept the offense simple for Lopez. Unfortunately, a tipped ball at the line fell right into the hands of Mixon, and Tarbabes found themselves at midfield, after failed drives early in the fourth quarter. Compton found looks, but Cabrillo’s Smith batted away three scoring opportunities, and penalties forced Compton out of rhythm. The Cabrillo defense would force the Tarbabes to turn over on downs at the Jaguars’ 30.
The game would be unfortunately stalled because of a Compton player injury that required an ambulance. This is the second week in a row Compton head coach Calvin Bryant and staff had to deal with such an occurrence.
“This is a part of the game, it happens,” said Bryant. “It is an unfortunate situation for things to happen to us almost every week. All we can do is go back to fundamentals [with tackling and personal protection].”
Despite the incident, Compton kept the game competitive by forcing a fumble and recovered in their redzone, denying Cabrillo’s opportunity to ice the game. Madera and Mixon would connect four times, converting multiple fourth downs, to eventually score together with :24 left in the game. MIranda intercepted Madera on the two point conversion, so Cabrillo kept their eight point lead, 21-13.
Compton failed the onside kick, as Cabrillo recovered, and they would kneel out the last 24 seconds.
Bryant mentioned how victory was inches away from Compton’s grasp, but penalties and miscues ultimately took victory away.
“[We] Made a lot of mistakes tonight against a good team,” said Bryant. “Our mistakes limited us in being the great team that we can be. I give my hat off to Cabrillo: they outplayed us. This one hurts, it hurts big time, but we got to go back to the drawing board, roll our sleeves up, and get ready for next week.”
Cabrillo hosts Lakewood next Friday, Oct. 4, while Compton hosts Wilson on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Compton College. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m.
