2006 Mira Mesa at Escondido 9

Mira Mesa at Escondido 9/8/2006

Mira Mesa 28 - Escondido 31

Some good things happened last night in Escondido,
and some bad things happened.

The bad...A big Escondido team came out playing your Marauders tough from the start, stopping the run pretty effectively in the first half. (If there was a weight allowance imposed on down linemen, I'm sure that north county teams would all exceed the maximum allowance.)

The Cougars double- and triple-covered Marauder top receivers, and played extremely tight in single coverage, effectively taking the passing game away.

Then breaks for each team started happening, and it looked like it was going to be a sea-saw battle, until, on several third and short plays the breaks went the wrong way. Some nice catches that would have normally put us in great field position went sour and we turned the ball over to Escondido.

Special Teams had an uncustomary rough day at the office trying to contain the Escondido return on kickoffs and punts.

The good...at one point in the game the score was 21-7 Escondido. Doesn't sound so good, until you find out that the Marauders came back on a couple of great series, and two touchdowns later it was 21-20 Escondido with about 2 minutes to go.

The Marauders, out of time outs, were then forced to open the door for Escondido and let them score to keep the Cougars from "kneeling down" and running the clock out.

Score 28-20 Escondido.

The Marauders got the ball back with less than two minutes to go, and a couple of plays later it was O'Mary with a lob pass over the head of the defender to Simas in the end zone.

Score 28-26 Escondido.

O'Mary converted on the extra point, hitting Simas on the goal line for 2. High School football doesn't get much better.

Tie Score 28-28 with about 37 seconds left.

The Marauders elected to kick it long, trying to back the Cougars up in their own end of the field. But the Cougars had a great runback which included a Marauder facemask. This gave the Cougars the ball on about the 20...kicking team in...field goal Escondido...

Score 31-28.

The Marauders had a few seconds left on the clock after the ensuing kickoff. They tried a hail Mary pass to the left side, but with triple coverage, the Cougars intercepted...the clock ran out...game over.

The crowd had their share of cat calls on some close turnovers and plays...and if they'd have gone our way, the game may have had a different outcome. But the fact is, we were the ones who put the ball on the ground. If you want to avoid a close judgment call...you need to hold onto the ball...there are no free rides against tough teams.

Results - We went to the north county...we took our game there...and were beaten by a strong Escondido team...the team came back...and they did it with class and thrilling play. The crowd was on their feet, they believed they could pull it off...and they almost did.

This Marauder Team has an abundance of character. They showed a lot of class in a tough loss.

They also have one of the toughest schedules in the section...the next five games include: Torrey Pines, Long Beach Poly, La Cost Canyon, Saints and Cathedral...these teams will test their resolve...they'll need to do a lot of work to prepare...get a few breaks to go their way...and most of all count on your support.

See you at Torrey Pines next Friday!!!!!!

Media

SignOn San Diego Article on Escondido Game

2006 Escondido Game Pictures Photos by Ray Rowe Click Here for Full Size Pictures

Coach Chris Blevins discussing a play with #66 Alex Muckle.	#11 Ryan Kastris and Crew in the hunt for a loose ball.

#55 Josh Portoesano and #7 Jovan Glasper look for the ball to pop out.	#4 Markques Simas pulling in an O'Mary pass under tight coverage.

#15 Kevin O'Mary taking it to the outside.	#15 Kevin O'Mary stands behind a wall built by #66 Alex Muckle, #51 Dionte Cooper and the Marauder O-Line.

Escondido in Goal Line defense as Marauder #15 Quarterback Kevin O'Mary calls his own number.	Coach Blevins in a friendly discussion with the officials.

Coach Taylor and Coach Payne before the game.	#4 Wide Receiver Markques Simas checking his position on the line.

#2 Jelani Burton carrying the ball.	#89 Tight End Nate Chandler throwing a block.

#6 Linebacker Elija Najera in hot pursuit.	#3 Wide Receiver Josh Ollison making the reception.

#56 Defensive Lineman Devan Rook getting in on this gang tackle.	#22 Defensive Back Eric Shorter seals off the end with the help of #48 Greg Sweeney, as #7 Jovan Glasper trys to rip away the ball.

D-Line, #11 Ryan Kastris at end.	#5 Linebacker Chris Gordert comes up as #66 D-Lineman Alex Muckle makes the tackle.

#22 Defensive Back Eric Shorter gets ready to wrap this one up.	#11 Ryan Kastris comes from the far side as #66 Alex Muckle and the Marauder D-Line seals cuts off the run.

#5 Chris Gordert, #11 Ryan Kastris, #8 Jean-Si Coulibali, #25 Kyle Hoeniger, #18 Kyle Neal, #66 Alex Muckle, #54 Mike Bravo, #7 Jovan Glasper, #51 Dionte Cooper, #65 Jeremy Corpuz, and #89 Nate Chandler lead the Marauders onto the field for the start of the second half.	#89 Defensive End Nate Chandler tracking down the Cougar QB.

2006 Escondido Game Pictures

Photos by Ray Rowe

Coach Chris Blevins discussing a play with #66 Alex Muckle.

#11 Ryan Kastris and Crew in the hunt for a loose ball.

#55 Josh Portoesano and #7 Jovan Glasper
look for the ball to pop out.

#4 Markques Simas pulling in an O'Mary pass under tight coverage.

#15 Kevin O'Mary taking it to the outside.

#15 Kevin O'Mary stands behind a wall built by #66 Alex Muckle,
#51 Dionte Cooper and the Marauder O-Line.

Escondido in Goal Line defense as Marauder
#15 Quarterback Kevin O'Mary calls his own number.

#2 Jelani Burton carrying the ball.

Coach Taylor and Coach Payne before the game.

Coach Blevins in a friendly discussion with the officials.

#4 Wide Receiver Markques Simas
checking his position on the line.

#89 Tight End Nate Chandler throwing a block.

#6 Linebacker Elija Najera in hot pursuit.

#3 Wide Receiver Josh Ollison making the reception.

#56 Defensive Lineman Devan Rook
getting in on this gang tackle.

#22 Defensive Back Eric Shorter seals off the end
with the help of #48 Greg Sweeney,
as #7 Jovan Glasper trys to rip away the ball.

D-Line, #11 Ryan Kastris at end.

#5 Linebacker Chris Gordert comes up
as #66 D-Lineman Alex Muckle makes the tackle.

#22 Defensive Back Eric Shorter
gets ready to wrap this one up.

#11 Ryan Kastris comes from the far side
as #66 Alex Muckle and the Marauder D-Line seals cuts off the run.

#5 Chris Gordert, #11 Ryan Kastris, #8 Jean-Si Coulibali,
#25 Kyle Hoeniger, #18 Kyle Neal, #66 Alex Muckle, #54 Mike Bravo,
#7 Jovan Glasper, #51 Dionte Cooper, #65 Jeremy Corpuz, and
#89 Nate Chandler lead the Marauders onto the field
for the start of the second half.

#89 Defensive End Nate Chandler tracking down the Cougar QB..