Sophomore Max Vasquez returned an onsides kick for a touchdown, sparking Cate to a 49-7 win over Villanova Prep in a Condor League 8-man football game at Cate on Saturday.
Villanova had just scored a touchdown to cut Cate’s lead to 14-7 in the first quarter. The Wildcats tried to surprise the Rams with an onsides kick, but Vasquez made them pay. He fielded the ball off a hop and ran 45 yards to a back-breaking score.
“We were kind of flat and that was the boost we needed,” Cate assistant coach Dave Soto said.
The Rams also scored on on a blocked field goal. Carlos Fairbanks batted down the Villanova kick and Iman Fardghassemi scooped up the ball and ran 57 yards for a touchdown.
Cate was dominant running the ball. Nik Pajouh scored three rushing touchdowns (5, 20 and 6 yards), senior Max Vasquez ran in from 8 yards and Fardghassemi scored on a 17=yard sweep.
It made for happy home opener for the Rams, who played their first three games on the road.
Cate (3-1) travels to Laguna Blanca next Saturday.
