Hornets conquer Silver Knights
CALIPATRIA — A football team switching their entire offensive formation within a week is not something ideal.
Though despite a shaky first half, Calipatria High School was able to go against the grain and successfully utilize their new formation to come out with a 38-20 home win over Riverside Prep High School on Friday night.
The Hornets’ new formation, a variation of the old double-wing formation, was the result of Calipatria’s head coach Mike Swearingen finally understanding what offensive weapons he has at his disposal.
“We put it in last week and because our quarterback is so quick, we’re utilizing him. I’m going to be honest, I should’ve done it earlier in the year and I didn’t. That’s my fault, not the kids. I’ve finally judged our personnel and right now we’re running what we should be running,” explained Swearingen.
Leading the new wingtype formation was Calipatria’s Ismael Lopez. The senior had his first start this season at quarterback in the Hornets’ game against Calexico High School last week, though under a different formation.
In prior games this season, Lopez played as a running back and as reliable defensive back, which he continued to be on Friday. The quarterback also had some experience in his position last season.
“Last year I didn’t really like quarterback, but then my team needed me to step up to become quarterback so I’m doing it to help my team. In the beginning, I was a bit nervous, but then I started playing with heart to make sure I didn’t let my team down,” expressed Lopez on his position change.
Lining up behind Lopez to receive the ball was Calipatria’s Julian Medina and Nate Banuelos, a senior-duo who the Hornets’ previously relied on as their quarterback and running back in their first three games this season. The Hornet’s senior fullback Chris Zendejas was also relied upon for quick runs up the middle when needed.
The formation centered around Lopez handing the ball off to either either one of his three backs or keeping it to run himself, with very few plays in the air.
Though in order for Lopez, Medina, Banuelos and the Hornets offensive to click, it took some time — the entire first half of the game to be exact.
Finding a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, Calipatria was unable to maintain their lead by the end of the second quarter.
After the Hornet’s kicker Marco Perez was able to put in between the uprights from the fifteen yard line, the Silver Knights scored from a touchdown pass at about the 2:40 mark, then at about the 50-second mark blocked and returned a Hornets’ punt attempt for a touchdown to take the lead, 14-10.
“During half time, we all picked our heads up and we were trying to help everyone out and do their job. We fixed our mistakes we made during the first half,” recalled Lopez. “During the second, we just played hard and fired out and played as a team.”
The Hornets’ did just that near the end of the third quarter. After a 20-yard run from Banuelos, Lopez took to the ground for a 20-yard run, placing them in the red zone. From there, the senior quarterback ran it up the middle to put his team back in the lead, 17-14.
Calipatria wasn’t able to enjoy their lead for long. Right at the start of the fourth quarter, the Silver Knights came back and scored from a short run, though failed a two-point conversion attempt after, 20-17.
Stopping the two-point conversion was a Hornet’s defense led by sophomore defensive linemen Tyler Ruiz and Kalin Sotelo.
The pair of sophomores and the rest of the defense would make sure the Silver Knights no longer saw the end zone after the blocked two-point conversion.
Calipatria’s quarterback-turned-running back Medina would then see to score from his team around the 8:30 mark from a goal line run up the middle, giving his team back the lead, 24-20.
At the 3-minute mark, the Hornet’s kicker Medina would give his team a welcoming surprise with an 18-yard run after receiving a pitch, setting up what would be considered the pivotal touchdown of the game.
In what seemed to be a failed play, Lopez was able to run his way through defenders on the left side of field and dive while making it just inches into the end zone, raising his team’s lead 32-20.
Though, truly solidifying the Hornet’s win was Sotelo, who sacked the Silver Knights’ quarterback at the 2-minute mark, causing him to fumble. The fumble was then recovered by the Hornets’ star running back Banuelos for about 45 yards for a touchdown, 38-20.
Friday’s win boosted Calipatria’s record to 2-3. The Hornets are set to face Montgomery High School, 3-2, at San Diego at 7 p.m. Friday.