By Corey Kwok and Big Tony Solorzano
(Santa Fe) – The Chiefs, sharp from the get go, scored on their first play from scrimmage on a 36-yard Cameron Oliver sweep and never looked back as they rolled to a 35-7 win over the Titans in Del Rio action Thursday night.
Chris Esparza’s 34 yard interception runback set up a William Bomer push inside from three out to make it 14-0 Santa Fe a minute into the second. Pioneer then cut it in half as quarterback Steven Del Villar (19-40, 238-yds, 1td, 3 int) bullseyed 9-yards to Gilbert Torres, but Santa Fe hit paydirt in quick succession twice to put the Titan momentum at a standstill.
Chiefs quarterback Justin Rincon (4-9, 97-yds, 2tds) aired a homer of 32-yards to Andrew Jackson and, as halftime rang, Rincon helped facilitate a halfback option for a touchdown as Christian Mahlstede (1-1, 43-yd td) struck Oliver 43-yards downfield inside the pylons. Oliver wasn’t done, getting his third touchdown of the game as Rincon hooked up with him again the first play of the fourth for a delivery of 47-yards thru the air.
Pioneer couldn’t convert on multiple opportunities deep in Santa Fe territory in the second half. An incursion to the Chiefs 19 was stuffed as Del Villar was pancaked 15-yards behind on a rollout before being picked off in the secondary by one of two Jessie Plaza interceptions. Del Villar and the Titans tried again, fueling a 11 play, 77-yard march to the three, only to turn it over on downs after back to back incompletions.
Santa Fe guaranteed a playoff spot with the win and, along with the rough n tumble Del Rio is curiously awaiting the result of Friday night’s contest between California (4-0) and La Serna (2-2). A Cal win would give Santa Fe sole possession of second and drop La Serna to 2-3 and create a three way tie for third and final playoff berth along with El Rancho and Whittier. Pioneer was statistically eliminated from the picture.
Leave a Reply