VIDEO: Game’s Final Play
Starting the season with three lopsided losses, San Marcos’ football team was hungry for a victory. It wasn’t until the final play of the game that the Royals finally tasted it as defensive back Mark Carroll knocked away a potential game-winning touchdown throw to seal a 24-19 decision over Hueneme at Warkentin Stadium.
“It feels awesome. I’m glad that we were able to stick through it, I’m really proud of these guys,” said Royals quarterback D’Shaun Vines. “It was a very hard game, we had to fight to the end, and the result is an awesome feeling right now.”
Vines finished the game with two rushing touchdowns and a 17-yard TD pass to Anthony Diaz Garcia. Vines, a senior who wears the No. 34, was converted to quarterback in the offseason. On a second-quarter scoring drive, Vines completed a 21-yard pass to Luke Pollock followed by a 39-yard scoring run of his own on the next play.
“I wasn’t expecting to play quarterback but I’m doing this to help the team and I feel comfortable doing both. I mean, I am a running back still at heart,” Vines said.
He said he was playing the game for his grandfather, who passed away a year ago yesterday. Vines had 121 yards on 10 carries on the ground and 3 for 5 through the air for 61 yards.
“He’s up there looking down at us. All this blood, sweat and tears go into this field and my performance always goes to him,” Vines said.
Vines helped the Royals take a 24-7 lead in the third quarter but watched the Vikings quickly change the tide with touchdown plays of 79 and 85 yards. Three minutes and six seconds after the Royals built their 17-point advantage, Hueneme had made it a one-score game again.
Hueneme’s Alexander Tili had a monster game, responsible for the 85-yard run, adding additional chunk gains of 33, 38 and 25 yards. He finished with 227 rushing yards on 14 carries.
The Royals killed most of the fourth-quarter clock on two run-dominant drives. Hueneme produced a long drive of its own in the final period, reaching the San Marcos 23 after getting pushed back to the Hueneme 4-yard line at the start of the drive. A dropped pass on fourth down kept the Vikings from taking the lead.
San Marcos’ Aaron Domiguez intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble on Friday. (Presidio Sports Photos)
Hueneme’s last possession of the fourth quarter was only 23 seconds. The Vikings moved the ball 46 yards on a 31-yard pass to Kody Smith, a spiked pass, and 15-yard pass interference penalty. With five seconds on the clock, Hueneme quarterback Robert Baca tossed the ball to the end zone but Carroll knocked it away from intended receiver Andy Romero.
“We just kept things simple to generate some rhythm, momentum, and it paid off,” said Vikings head coach Lui Toilolo. “It paid off, we got back into the game and then towards the end just came up short in time of possession.”
Royals head coach Anthony Linebaugh thought his defense had a good showing. Aaron Dominguez had an interception and fumble recovery while Paul Gularte was a run stopper on the defensive line highlighted by a stuff on a Hueneme fourth-down run. Linebaugh also credited Roberto Miranda for stepping in for an injured player at center.
“By and large I was really pleased with the defensive effort,” Linebaugh said.
San Marcos can look ahead to Channel Islands next week. The Raiders (2-2) lost to Royal 17-0 on Friday. Linebaugh said he’s expecting another close game.
“We’re going to enjoy this because it’s our first win but after films tomorrow it’s on to CI.”
