(Whittier) – A week prior to the start of the season, California had a less than stellar scrimmage against Southeast Division foe Paramount. Fast-forward to Thursday night’s season opener against Montebello, which saw an entirely different team out-play the Oilers 24-13.
Manny Espinoza and Nathan Lowden each ran for over 100-yards and scored a touchdown. Espinoza finished with 128 yards on 17 carries, while Lowden ran for 112 yards on 18 carries. The Condor running backs accounted for 316 rushing yards.
Espinoza opened the scoring on California’s second offensive possession on a 32-yard burst through the vaunted “Dark Side” defense of Montebello in the first quarter.
After the Condors defense stopped the Oilers on four straight plays inside the Cal 10-yard line, the offense marched 96-yards down the field on 10 plays to extend its lead to 14-0 on Thomas Vielma’s second-effort touchdown from one-yard out.
- Montebello turned the ball over three times, with two of the turnovers leading to Condor touchdowns.
- California forced a punt on the Oilers second possession only but made its one big miscue of the game on the ensuing punt as Guy Sausedo muffed the return giving Montebello its best field position of the night inside the Condor 9-yard line.
- Montebello quarterback Carlos China went 18-of-32 for 250 yards with one touchdown and interception. The touchdown was thrown to Charles Zuniga from three-yards out.
- Oiler running back Isaac Mendibles rushed for 90 yards on 8 carries.
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