El Camino Makes Its Points--63--to Top Pirates

OCEANSIDE â€”  El Camino’s defense contributed four touchdowns, and the Wildcats set a school record for most points scored in a game by beating crosstown rival Oceanside, 63-27, in the quarterfinals of the San Diego Section 2-A football playoffs.

The previous record was a 56-0 victory over Escondido in 1983.

With the lopsided victory in front more than 5,000 at El Camino, the Wildcats advanced to the semifinals against the winner of tonight’s USDHS-El Capitan game.

There were several ironies in the game, not the least of which was Oceanside quarterback John Portugal’s performance.

Portugal threw for 401 yards, the most allowed by El Camino this season, by completing 16 of 48 passes.

Portugal, however, also threw five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns by El Camino (11-1). Portugal also coughed up two fumbles which were returned for touchdowns.

Offensively for El Camino, quarterback Noel Prefontaine threw for 140 yards and onetouchdown.

That touchdown came with 6:19 left in the game as El Camino faced a third-and-six at the Pirate 25. Prefontaine looped the ball into the corner of the end zone, and receiver Aaron Morrison made a diving catch to end a wild night.

Prefontaine also scored on a 24-yard run, keeping the ball and turning inside on an option play while the Oceanside defense was going outside for the pitch man, Elias Noa. That came midway through the third quarter, and made it, 49-21.

Noa scored El Camino’s next touchdown, this time taking the option 34 yards into the end zone with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Noa, who did not carry the ball in the first half, finished with 53 yards on seven carries.

Besides the Oceanside offense, El Camino’s biggest threat was running back Mike Gee, who carried 17 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns.

His first touchdown came two minutes into the game on a 29-yard carry. His second came with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter on a 24-yard sweep.

Among El Camino’s six first-half touchdowns, four were scored by its defense, one of the best in the county.

Abdul McCullough ran 16 yards for a touchdown after Oceanside’s Marcus Andrews fumbled with 5:31 remaining in the first quarter. After the failed extra point, El Camino led 13-0.

On the next play from scrimmage, Portugal tried pitching to Brian McGehee, except the ball went over McGehee’s head. El Camino’s Daniel Esposito recovered in the end zone to make it 21-0.

On the second play of Oceanside’s next series, Portugal was intercepted by Bryant Westbrook, who returned it 34 yards for the Wildcats’ third touchdown in less than two minutes, and all without its offense stepping onto the field.