MidValleySports.Com

By Matthew Schuler

(Covina)- Have you ever seen the running of the bulls and been witness to a charging bull running loose and trampellng over anything in its path? Thats what it looked like at Covina District Field when someone let the Chargers out of their captivity tank.

Chris Gilchrist ran back the opening kick-off 90 yards to the house, Travis Santiago accounted for over 400 yards and 5 total touchdowns, sophomore Kurt Scoby added another three touchdowns on the ground, and Charter Oak looked like a dominating force after defeating South Hills, 63-28, at Covina District Field Friday night.

With 3:49 to play in the second, Santiago called his own number and sprinted down the left sideline, making statues out of  two would be tacklers before reaching the end zone for a 35-14 advantage.

“His ability to compete and think under that pressure shows how high his football IQ is……. phenomenal,” said Charter Oak coach Lou Farrar of Santiago. ”There cant be a better quarterback anywhere around here.”

Santiago completed 14 of 23 pass attempts and finished with 345 yards through the air. He also got it done on the ground, rushing for three scores (1, 5, 15) and 58 yards.

His QB counterpart, Vincent Hernandez, also had a good game passing the ball, completing 14 of 24 for 249 yards and two trips to the end zone. Brayton Newton and Jacob Hernandez each caught touchdown passes from Hernandez.

South Hills was gaining momentum after Jamel Hart ran in the touchdown from three yards out to make it a 21-14 defecit, but every time the Huskies would rally to score a touchdown Charter Oak would answer right back.

“They have some superb athletes,” said Farrar of South Hills. “They always have a great team, and they always get prepared. Its one of those games where, dont blink, anything can happen.”

Hart finished his night with 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Charter Oak’s sophomore sensation Scoby carried the rock for 139 yards on 18 carries,  piercing the end zone three times for the Chargers on runs of 3, 5, 19.

After South Hills opened up second half play with an 11-play drive for a score, Santiago found Bryce Bobo on the next drive deep in the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown pitch and catch, extending the lead to 47-21 with five minutes in the third.

“We knew they were the most deep team we’ve seen on film,” said South Hills head coach Steve Bogan. “You can put them almost anywhere and that team is going to score points. Our kids don’t quit, they didn’t quit, thats what were going to pull out of it; make sure we do the right thing and never quit.”