Eagles fall in season opener, 20-3
If the Southwest High football team was hoping to reach another state championship with a 14-game win streak, that was quickly thwarted by West View High of Santee in the Eagles’ season opener Friday in El Centro.
The Wolf Pack rushed to a 20-3 win against an Eagles squad that has numerous seniors, but with limited varsity experience.
“We’re senior heavy, just inexperienced,” said Southwest head coach John Mitosinka. “We have work to do. Coaches, we have to go back to the drawing board and get them (players) going.”
Last year, the Eagles finished 14-1 overall, with their only loss coming to Milpitas High, 45-41, in the 4A State Final. During Southwest’s run, the Eagles clinched Imperial Valley League, the CIF-San Diego Section Division III championship and SoCal title.
On Friday, the Wolf Pack kicked off the scoring with 4 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter when Cedric Somsamouth rushed 13 yards for a score. The Wolf Pack missed the PAT to take a 6-0 lead.
In their ensuing possession, the Wolf Pack’s Jordin Young, the Pack’s starting quarterback, rushed 22 yards for another score. The Pack scored the PAT to take a 13-0 lead with 14.7 seconds left in the first quarter. The Eagles answered with a 28yard field goal by Jared Arredondo with 9:58 left in the second quarter to cut the Wolf Pack’s lead, 13-3.
In the third quarter, the Wolf Pack’s Barrett Gauthier rushed nine yards for a score with 1:18 left in the quarter. A successful PAT extended West Hill’s lead, 20-3.
A scoreless second half gave the Wolf Pack the win.
The Eagles drop to 0-1 and go on to play at Cibola High at 7 p.m. Aug. 31, while the Wolf Pack (1-0) will play at Valhalla High at 7 p.m. Friday.