Dos Pueblos High looked to be out of answers against Rio Mesa Friday night. Trailing 22-10 to begin the fourth quarter, however, Dos Pueblos went to its backup plan.
The result was stunning.
Dos Pueblos scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to shock host Rio Mesa 30-22 and prevent Rio Mesa from notching its first win.
Dos Pueblos’ offensive adjustments in the fourth quarter stole the show.
Ditching its traditional I-formation set, Dos Pueblos pulled out its shotgun formation to the tune of three fourth quarter touchdowns.
“It was our backup plan, to spread them out,” said Dos Pueblos coach Jeff Uyesaka. “Our runners then have room, and it’s no secret we want to give the ball to them.”
Rio Mesa (0-5) took a 22-10 lead on a 12-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Perkins with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter. With its defense not giving up a first down since the first quarter, Rio Mesa seemed to be in control.
But then everything unraveled. Dos Pueblos running back Dane Limosnero took a draw play 52 yards to the Rio Mesa 4, and three plays later Anthony Houston scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 22-17 at the 9:42 mark of the fourth quarter.
After a Rio Mesa punt, Lismonero polished off another Dos Pueblos drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to take a 23-22 lead with 4:04 to play. Dos Pueblos stopped Rio Mesa on downs at their 26-yard line, and Houston scored on another 5-yard run to complete the shocker with 34 seconds remaining.
“We were thinking ‘Oh God,’ how are we going to fight to the end?” said Uyesaka. “Then we started giving the ball to Dane. He is an explosive runner, and we followed his lead.”
“They just pounded away at us,” said Rio Mesa coach Bob Gregorchuk. “We have to play well on both sides of the ball. One week we have one side play well, and one doesn’t.”
Rio Mesa had a final chance to tie the game, as Perkins returned the last kickoff 50 yards to the Dos Peublos 49 with 23 seconds to play. Chase Perham completed a 27-yard pass to Shelby Spears to pull within striking distance, but Isaiah Brown picked off a pass intended for Spears on the final play to preserve the victory.
Limosnero finished with 103 yards on 15 carries, and Houston added 54 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Zack Boytis threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Brown in the first quarter.
Dos Pueblos (2-3) faces Santa Barbara next week in one of its city rivalry games to open up Channel League play.
“It is always nice to have momentum going into league,” said Uyesaka.
DOS PUEBLOS 30, RIO MESA 22
Dos Pueblos….7 3 0 20 — 30
Rio Mesa………0 7 15 0 — 22
First Quarter
DP — Brown 26 pass from Boytis (Tangle kick), 4:16
Second Quarter
RM — Perkins 1 run (Jordan kick), 5:21
DP — Eccles 35 FG, 3:50
Third Quarter
RM — Perham 1 run (Hall pass from Perham), 4:18
RM — Perkins 12 run (Jordan kick), 0:29
Fourth Quarter
DP — Houston 5 run (Tangle kick), 9:42
DP — Limosner 1 run (pass failed), 4:04
DP — Houston 5 run (Tangle kick), 0:34
Team Totals DP RM
First Downs 12 28
Rushes-Yards 35-180 40-194
Passing Yards 63 148
Comp-Att-Int 5-12-1 14-26-2
Punts-avg. 2-36 2-23
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0
Penalties-Yards 7-31 7-35
Individual Statistics
RUSHING — DP: Limosnero 15-103, Houston 16-48, Johnson 1-9, Parsons 1-2, Boytis 2-2. RM: Perkins 30-133, Hall 3-40, Jordan 1-15, Alford 1-4, Perham 5-2.
PASSING — DP: Boytis 4-8-0-56, Johnson 1-4-1-7. RM: Perham 14-26-0-148.
RECEIVING — DP: Brown 2-34, Tangle 1-12, McGaughey 1-10, Valencia 1-7. RM: Spears 7-87, Garcia 3-22, Jordan 2-21, Rodriguez 1-15, Perkins 1-3.
MISSED FIELD GOALS — None.
TEAM RECORDS — DP 2-3, RM 0-5.
