Game Recap: Camariollo Holds Off Calabasas in 40-39 Thriller
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Calabasas – Missed opportunities by Calabasas, growing confidence by Camarillo, and a battle between two hot quarterbacks were on display when the Coyotes hosted the Scorpions on Friday night in a thrilling 40-39 game.
The Calabasas Coyotes (6-1) looked like they were going to run away with the game early in the first quarter building a 20-0 lead, that very easily could have been 26-0 had a muffed punt by Camarillo (7-0) that went into the end zone not been called a touchback. But Camarillo charged back getting on the board off an Isaiah Otis 2-yard touchdown run. Aaron Lamb added a 2-yard run and Francisco Tostado hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jake Constantine with 52 seconds to go before halftime building a 21-20 lead.
The big story for the game was missed opportunities on both sidelines on special teams. Each side missed PAT attempts which would lead to an exciting finish. Camarillo scored early in the third quarter taking a 27-20 lead off a Constantine to Desmond Clancy 5-yard connection but missed their point after attempt. Calabasas scored on their next possession off of one of Brian Hightower’s three touchdown receptions on the evening with a chance to tie the game but also missed their PAT at the 4:39 mark.
Camarillo scored early in the fourth taking a 34-26 lead pushing their edge to 40-39 after a tough 15-yard run by Colby Stevens and an Elijah Alexander pick-six taken back 25 yards for the score.
Calabasas did not give up seeing junior quarterback Tristan Gebbia heat up finding 5-star cornerback/wide receiver recruit Darnay Holmes for two fourth quarter touchdowns. Holmes pulled in a 20-yard touchdown pass making the game a one score contest at 40-33 with just under 6:00 left in the game. Gebbia found Holmes again on a highlight reel corner of the end zone reception with 2:30 minutes left to play moving the score to 40-39. After two missed PAT attempts earlier in the game, the Coyotes went for two after the touchdown but a third consecutive scoring connection between Gebbia and Holmes could not be made on a failed two-point conversion.
The Coyotes forced the Scorpions into a punting situation with 1:30 left in the game with plenty of time to move the ball down the field for another shot at winning the game. Nebraska wide receiver/cornerback commit Marquel Dismukes mishandled the punt giving the ball back to Camarillo to end the game.
Next week Camarillo hosts Newbury Park while Calabasas welcomes Agoura High School.
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Camarillo vs. Calabasas, No. 81 Francisco Tostado, No. 11 Darnay Holmes.