The afterburners were smoking for Carpinteria High’s football team on Friday night.
Jonathan Esqueda broke off a 95-yard touchdown run and Bryson Frazer returned a punt 68 yards for a score, helping the visiting Warriors blow past South Torrance, 42-20.
Carpinteria had its offense running in high gear. It rolled up 500 yards in total offense, including 357 yards on the ground. Quarterback Ian Craddock passed for 164 yards, completing 12 of 17 passes with one touchdown and an interception — the Warriors’ first turnover of the season.
In addition to his punt return for a score (his second of the season), Frazer caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Craddock.
“He’s been wonderful,” Carpinteria coach Ben Hallock said of the speedster. “Last spring, he broke the record in the 100 meters, and that’s one of the oldest records at the school. Obviously, he’s the fastest kid we’ve ever had.”
South Torrance stunned Carpinteria early in the game. On the third play from scrimmage, the Spartans broke off a 78-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. The Warriors responded with a long drive and tied the score on a run by Craddock.
South, which beat Carpinteria last year and was picked over the Warriors for the CIF playoffs, went back ahead 14-7. But Carpinteria came right back, and Peter Ramos scored to tie the score at 14-14.
The Warriors took the lead for good when Craddock and Frazer hooked up for the 41-yard score.
Carpinteria scored on its first possession of the second half, with Craddock running in for his second touchdown to make it 28-14.
A long South punt pinned Carpinteria at its 5-yard line. But not for long. On first down, Esqueda ran off left tackle and kept on running. He received a terrific block from wide receiver Nathan Smolnikar to spring him the rest of the way.
Frazer’s punt return made it 42-14.
After two wins on the road, the Warriors come home next Friday and play Nipomo.
