Recap
Oxnard, CA — Josh Joyner rushed for 128 yard and three touchdowns as the Pacifica High football team completed the first 10-0 season in program history with a 42-14 win at Gonzales Road rival Oxnard High on Friday night.
Dominic Duran completed 17 of 28 passes for 247 yards and three TDs, including two to junior Isaiah Dillon and another to Dayday Aupiu, as the Tritons clinched the Channel League title outright.
“They couldn’t stop us offensively, but they were giving us all we could handle (on defense),” Pacifica coach Mike Moon said. “They did a good job. They schemed it up.
“(Head coach) Lonnie (McCowan) is doing a good job over there. They played super hard. I know he’s going to get them going.”
Pacifica had started 5-0 or better four times in the past decade and had its potential undefeated season spoiled by Oxnard, including its only previous 9-0 start in 2014.
The Yellowjackets pulled to within 14-7 on Poni Maria’s 10-yard TD pass to Caleb Stremcha in the second quarter. Victor Menendez added a late 4-yard TD run.
“We did some good things that I’m proud of,” McCowan said. “But we still shot ourselves in the foot a few times.”
Pacifica scored three straight TDs in the second and third quarters to put the game away
“We kind of wore them down,” Moon said. “Our offense did their thing.”
The postgame handshake line was marred by a skirmish.
“Just stupid,” Moon said. “We know who started it, but both teams are at fault. Three quarters of the teams shook hands with no incident and, of course, it was the last 10 guys.”
Both coaches were disappointed that the incident marred an otherwise clean, hard-fought game.
“It’s just unfortunate,” McCowan said. “After a hard-fought rivalry football game, everyone should be able to shake hands and congratulate each other. I have a ton of respect for Coach Moon and his whole staff.”