Dos Pueblos running back Tyler Welch runs behind Micah Ruiz during the Chargers’ 31-21 victory. Welch rushed for 241 yards and scored three touchdowns. (Photo by Katie Issaris)
By ERIK OLSON
Presidio Sports Correspondent
Tyler Welch’s career night as a running back helped Dos Pueblos win its first football game of the year.
Welch rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the Chargers to a 31-21 victory over Cabrillo on Thursday night at Scott O’Leary Stadium.
Welch first made his presence known on defense. On the third play of the game, the all-Channel League safety returned an interception for 30 yards to put the Chargers in the red zone. Two plays later, he rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, putting the Chargers up 7-0.
Later in the first quarter, a 53-yard Charger drive was bolstered by the play of junior quarterback Barrett Burnes, who completed two key passes in his first start varsity start. The drive resulted in a 30-yard field goal by senior Daniel Buratto.
Down 10-0, Cabrillo answered with a drive of its own that resulted in a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Junior running back Collin Babauta. The PAT attempt was blocked by DP senior cornerback Nick Aguilera, making the score 10-6.
Cabrillo entrusted the majority of their carries to senior running back Steven French, who delivered a 4-yard rushing touchdown with a minute left in the first half. The Conquistadores were successful on a 2-point conversion attempt and took a 14-10 lead at halftime.
DP regained the lead when Welch scored his second touchdown of the game on an electrifying 68-yard touchdown run with six minutes left in the 3rd quarter. But Cabrillo answered again on a 20-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Brett Gregory to senior tight end Sabree Mixon, putting Conqs ahead 21-17 going into the fourth quarter.
The Chargers took the lead for good when Welch exploded for a 48-yard touchdown run with five minutes left in the game
“The offensive line really pulled through, the holes they made were huge,” said Welch.
The Chargers thwarted Cabrillo’s last drive when senior lineman Liam Stimson, playing on a sore ankle, recovered a fumble with three minutes left in the game.
Another 65-yard run by Welch followed by a 1 yard touchdown dive by Burnes sealed the deal with only seconds to go.
“I felt proud, proud of our guys,” DP coach Nate Mendoza said. “They battled through penalties, they battled through being down.”
