For the Dos Pueblos football team, the idiom, “Out of the frying pan and into the fire,” seems fitting going into Friday night’s game at CIF Northern Division No. 8-ranked Lompoc.
Last week, the Chargers faced a high-powered passing attack at Newbury Park. Lompoc’s strength is wearing down defenses with a potent running game.
DP coach Nate Mendoza knows it well. He was a standout player for the Braves.
Led by the shifty and speedy Torey Sims at quarterback, the Braves’ attack is running on all cylinders. It’s blanked Nordhoff, 63-0, and Morro Bay, 64-0, in its last two outings. In four games, Sims has rushed for 255 yards and four touchdowns and completed 17 of 34 passes for 251 yards and a score.
Sims is one of many weapons the Chargers will have to deal with on Friday. Sophomore Toa Taua is a load at running back. He’s the Braves’ second leading rusher with 240 yards on 37 carries and four touchdowns. Chris Green is another powerful runner.
The playmakers operate behind a solid offensive line, which has improved greatly since a season-opening loss to Arroyo Grande.
Taua leads the defense at linebacker.
Junior quarterback Kellen Roberts leads an up-tempo Dos Pueblos offense that as piled up the yardage. Roberts has thrown for more than 700 yards, completing 69 percent of his passes.
The Chargers will need to be at their best on both sides of the ball to stay in this game. The pick: Lompoc
Santa Barbara (3-1) at Royal (2-1), 7 p.m. — The Dons got a wake-up call on defense last Friday in a 47-45 loss to Rio Mesa. Royal doesn’t have Division 1 playmakers like Rio Mesa, but Santa Barbara still needs to improve on its tackling. The offense is piling up the yards and scoring points. Running back Sean Babcock showed last week he can pick up the tough yards. Look for the Dons to bounce back in a big way. The pick: Santa Barbara.
Channel Islands (2-2) at San Marcos (1-3), 7 p.m. — The Royals gained a huge confidence boost with their win over Hueneme last Friday. They’ll try to go 2-0 against schools from south Oxnard. D’Shaun Vines showed his versatility as he ran and passed for touchdowns. Royals fans are waiting for a breakout game from running back Ivan Reyes. Channel Islands is struggling on offense. The Raiders were shut out at Royal last week (17-0). The pick: San MarcosCarpinteria (0-3) at South Torrance (3-0), 7:30 p.m. — The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as the travel to face an athletic South Torrance team. Led by dual-threat quarterback Gabe Zuniga, the Spartans have won their games, 33-21 47-21, 53-27. Next week the Warriors play Dos Pueblos. These games should make them battle-tested for Tri-Valley League play. The pick: South Torrance.
