Photos by Javier Valdes
Watch full game here
BY JOEY MACIAS
East High School’s defense silences South High School as the Blades force five turnovers in their 28-7 victory over the Rebels at home Friday night.
The Blades extend their five game win streak over South as they continue to showcase their hard-nosed defense that’s allowing just 13.8 points per game over the last five contests.
“Defensively, we had a great game plan and we executed it well,” said East High head coach Kasey Tittlemeier. “We did what we needed to do against that kid (South senior Daniel Lomax Jr.). He’s probably one of the best players in the valley not just the town. We knew we had to box him in and make sure he wasn’t going to break to the third level and I thought overall we did a pretty good job of that.”
Lomax Jr. of South High has built a reputation so far this season as one of the best running backs in the city, but was held without a touchdown in the game. He was able to break the 100-yard rushing mark finishing the contest with 106 yards on 17 carries.
The first East High touchdown was built from an interception by senior Jackson Phillips that set up good field position deep inside South High territory. Phillips capped the big interception off by taking the ball in for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Blades up 10-0 with 43 seconds left until halftime.
“We just had to stay focused on defense,” said Phillips. “The first interception I got out (defensive) line caused that because our (defensive) line was rushing the quarterback. The quarterback was nervous so he just threw (the ball) up and I was just right there ready to make a play.”
Phillips finished the game with a game-tying high two interceptions and one touchdown.
After halftime the Blades came out and forced a fumble that was recovered by junior Carlos Medina. The Blades offense was able to capitalize off of the turnover and senior Willie Ball found senior Nelson Keyshawn for a 36-yard touchdown pass to put them up 16-0 with 8:04 in the third quarter.
“It was a hard fought game,” said Ball. “We didn’t come out here and expect them to play that dirty. It feels good to know that (coach) believes in me. He knows I can put my team in a good position moving up and down the field.”
Ball would also score in the third quarter after two failed quarterback sneaks he would convert on the third one and punch the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Blades up 22-0. Ball would finish the game with 108 passing yards, 10 completions and two touchdowns.
Two players were ejected in the game as things did get a little scrappy in the fourth quarter. At one point both coaching staffs from East and South met in the middle of the field and appeared to be arguing with one another on what was occurring during and after the plays.
South High will look to get back on track as they are scheduled to face Mira Monte High School on Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
East High will try to extend its win streak against North High on Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Javier Valdes
