When a starting quarterback gets injured in the first quarter of a homecoming game against an archrival with postseason opportunities hanging in the balance, most football teams would immediately reach for the panic button. Carpinteria High doesn’t need such a device. It has Justin Alvarado. The senior wide receiver/running back earned the right to add quarterback to his resume Friday as he rushed for 100 yards and two second-half touchdowns to lead the Warriors to a 35-14 Tri-Valley League … [Read more...]

Coaches are known for going deep into their playbooks during rivalry football games, throwing fake punts, fake field goals, trick plays and secret weapons at their all-too-familiar foes.San Marcos unveiled a surprise Friday night during its Channel League clash with crosstown rival Dos Pueblos – it unleashed its passing game.Junior quarterback James Crook posted season-high numbers for completions, yards and touchdowns, then received help from a stingy Royals defense, as San Marcos … [Read more...]

When just 14 players suited up for practice on Monday, Carpinteria High coach John Hazelton suspected his football team would be in for a long week.A stifling Fillmore High defense helped confirm his feeling Friday night.A 19-point third quarter, which featured two interception returns for touchdowns, propelled the Flashes to a 40-14 non-league victory at Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium.“When you start the week on Monday with just 14 guys at practice, it’s difficult to expect … [Read more...]

A punishing Lompoc High rushing attack and a few critical miscues prevented Dos Pueblos High from winning its first true home football game in the Goleta school’s 42-year history.The Chargers managed to light up its new scoreboard first, scoring on their opening drive in front of an estimated crowd of 3,000. But Lompoc answered by compiling 246 rushing yards and capitalizing on DP mistakes to roll to a 31-17 non-league victory Friday at Scott O’Leary Stadium. … [Read more...]

San Marcos High did something Friday that no other team has done in this young football season: score on Lompoc’s defense. But the Royals proceeded to fall victim to the Braves’ swarming defense and creative offense, as many other teams have in the past.Lompoc rushed for 249 yards and two touchdowns while holding San Marcos to just 108 yards and a mere five first downs during the Braves’ 24-7 non-league victory Friday at Valley Stadium. … [Read more...]

An opportunistic defense and a dramatic 32-yard field goal by senior Alvaro Garcia helped San Marcos High win its football season opener and send Valley Stadium into a frenzy Friday night.  With 21 seconds remaining, Garcia, … [Read more...]

   A stubborn Santa Ynez High defense and a nagging case of leg cramps wouldn’t deny Carpinteria quarterback R.J. Rosborough during his football team’s season opener Friday.    The 6-foot-4 junior broke free for a 44-yard run in the third quarter, limped to the sidelines to sit out one play, then re-entered to score the game’s lone touchdown and help the Warriors secure a 7-0 victory at Santa Ynez.    His 44-yard run keyed a 92-yard scoring drive for Carpinteria (1-0). On the … [Read more...]