Dos Pueblos gets some key players back on the field, but the Chargers face another difficult task Thursday night as they travel to Lompoc for a non-league football game against the CIF Northern Division third-ranked Braves.
Senior quarterback Barrett Burnes returns after missing the last three games recovering from a concussion. Also back is defensive end/tight end Austen Pearce. Their return should give DP a big boost of confidence as it gets closer to Channel League play.
The non-league schedule has been brutal for the Chargers (1-3). Last week, they were routed 51-0 by Newbury Park, the No. 1 team in the Northern Division. Tonight, it’s Lompoc, a perennial CIF power, and next week they play at Sierra Canyon, the top-ranked team in the Mid-Valley Division. All three opponents are unbeaten.
Lompoc is led by fleet-footed junior quarterback Torey Sims. He’s rushed for 378 yards and nine touchdowns. In the air, he’s thrown for 459 yards and two scores.
As is always the case with Lompoc, the team favors to run the ball behind a big, physical line. This year’s running back corps is led Derrick Portis and Austin Hayes. They average six yards per carry.
