The Righetti football team has several returning starters that played in last year’s CIF Central Section Division 2 championship game.
The Warriors, the section’s No. 1-ranked team in Division 2, gave an inexperienced Dos Pueblos team a lesson in disciplined, hard-nosed, and well-played football Friday night. They scored on their first five possessions and cruised to a 35-6 non-league win at Scott O’Leary Stadium.
Christian Roseborough, a powerhouse, 5-8, 200-pound running back, rushed for three touchdowns and gained 138 yards in three quarters; quarterback Logan Mortensen threw a pair of touchdown passes and wide receiver Jake Steels made a spectacular one-handed catch as the Warriors improved to 6-0.
Dos Pueblos, which hurt itself with four interceptions, avoided the shutout in the fourth quarter when running back Trent Jones scored on an 8-yard run in the final minute.
While the loss dropped them to 0-5, the Chargers can forget all about their non-league slate and focus on Channel League. As far as they’re concerned, the record is 0-0 and a CIF-Southern Section playoff berth is up for grabs.
“It would be nice not to play a Division 2 No. 1 seed anymore or a Pacifica type,” DP coach Doug Caines said. “You know, Lompoc is always the road through the Channel. We feel like we can get three games in league and try to get into the playoffs. And, if we get four, maybe tickle the idea of getting a home game. All our goals are still in front of us.”
DP was overmatched against a Righetti team that had outscored its opponents 220-40 and rallied from a 21-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to beat defending Channel League champion Lompoc, 28-21.
After DP won the coin flip and elected to kick off, the Warriors marched 80 yards in eight plays and scored on a 7-yard Roseborough run. Diego Macias kick the PAT for a 7-0 lead at 7:52 o the first quarter.
The Chargers went three and out, and Righetti struck again. Mortensen hit Steels on a short past and the wide receiver turned on the jets and blew past defensive backs for a 71-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead at 5:31 of the first quarter.
“The reality is we were really weird in the first quarter,” said Caines.
The Warriors made it 21-0 on on their third possession. Roseborough had runs of 10 and 31 yards before finishing the drive with a 1-yard score on the first play of the second quarter.
Caines said Righetti’s attack reminded him of the DP teams that used to dominate defenses.
“They just got a good group,” said Caines of the Warriors. “A few short years ago we were riding that same momentum of having a couple of special guys in the backfield and a helluva offensive line up front.
“More credit to coach (Tony) Payne. They are, honestly, one of the most physical teams we’ve ever seen. And, honestly, one of the most respectful. They play tough, but they’re not dirty and they are extremely well coached. Their coach is a consummate professional.”
DP’s offense continued to struggle and went three and out again.
Righetti took over at its 10 and Mortensen guided his team down field with handoffs to Roseborough and passes to Chase Reynoso and Steels.
The highlight of the drive was Steels’ incredible one-handed catch of a 30-yard pass from Mortensen. Unfortunately for Righetti, Steels hurt his ankle on the play and never returned to the game.
Reynoso caught a 26-yard pass to put the ball at the 13. Kidasi Nepa ran 9 yards on first down and Roseborough finished the drive with a 4-yard TD. Mortensen fired to Reynoso for a 2-point conversion and a 29-0 lead.
Besides the score, Righetti dominated the stats, outgaining DP 337 yards to 27 in the first half.
The Warriors continued to control the game early in the second half. Their defense stopped DP short of a first down on a fake punt and the offense immediately found the end zone. Mortensen combined three times with Reynoso, the last pass play covering 7 yards for a touchdown.
Righetti started subbing for its starters at the end of the third quarter.
Dos Pueblos quarterback Albert Alvarado twice drove the Chargers into the red zone in the fourth quarter. They were thwarted on fourth and goal from the 8 on the first drive but scored on the second. Jones ran in from 8 yards.
Caines raved about the play of Evan Steinberger, who is in his first year of playing football.
“He was an absolute gladiator for us.”
Conner Lee showed off his speed on kickoff return.
“We’re young… we’re young across the board, and we’ve taken some lumps on offense,” said Caines. “We’re trying to get the recipe right.”
Dos Pueblos opens Channel League at Cabrillo next Friday. Righetti has one more non-league game against Paraclete before it begins league.
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.