Spartans romp again, down Coachella Valley 49-6

COACHELLA VALLEY — The Central Union Spartans continued their strong start to the 2018 season, moving to 4-0 following a 49-6 manhandling of the Coachella Valley Arabs.

The Spartans wasted no time in this one, exploding onto the scene with 28 first-quarter points facilitated by three interceptions, courtesy of ball-magnet Thadeo Campbell, who now has six picks for the year.

The Arabs were never really in it after that, their six points packing about as much punch as a non-binding UN resolution.

Starring for the Spartans were QB Deniro Osuna, who went 12/19 for 261 yards and five touchdowns, Angel Nava-Esparza, who ran in two scores and made six tackles on D, and the aforementioned Campbell, who had two TD receptions to go with his interceptions.

“I thought the team performed very well,” Coach David Peña said after the game. “We were firing on all cylinders.”

He said he felt the team’s execution was praiseworthy in “all three levels of the game,” meaning defense, offense and special teams.

Asked if there were any things that needed fine-tuning after such a blowout win, Peña managed, as most any coach will, to find a couple of dust motes on an otherwise pristine tableaux, alluding to “a couple of false starts,” but otherwise couldn’t find much to complain about.

Central will try to continue their strong start next week, when they host the Eagles of Tri-City Christian in their final non-league match.

It will be a battle of unbeatens, with Tri-City fresh off a 53-6 thumping of Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary.

The Eagles may well represent the stiffest test the Spartans have faced all year, but Coach Peña said he likes their chances.

“Our skill guys match up well with their skill guys,” he said, “We’re a good team, and we can be competitive as long as we do what we need to do.”