The Golden Hawks take control at the end to win, 28-15.
September 25, 2009 11:15 PM

By LOU PONSI
OCVARSITY.COM

PLACENTIA - Even with his team leading by three touchdowns at halftime, El Dorado first-year coach Shawn Racobs didn't expect his Golden Hawks to breeze to an easy victory over city rival Valencia. Racobs was correct.

Valencia was within a touchdown late in the third quarter, but the Golden Hawks took control for a 28-15 victory. "I don't think any victory is easy, especially when you are going against Coach (Mike) Marrujo," said Racobs, who was an assistant under Marrujo for the past eight years and played for the coach in high school.

The Golden Hawks (2-1) reclaimed the victory bell, the trophy the schools have played for the past 10 years. Valencia (1-2) had possession of it after a 17-16 victory in 2008, but the Golden Hawks have won three of the past four meetings. The overall series is tied at 19 victories each. "It is a great victory for the kids," Racobs said. "They worked hard all week. I know how important it is to them."

El Dorado's Brock Dunn led all rushers with 140 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. Dunn's 14 yard touchdown capped an 80 yard drive that gave the Hawks the lead after the game's first drive. Andreas Ambuehl connected with Robert Ellison for El Dorado's second score, and Dunn's next touchdown, this one for 15 yards, put the Hawks ahead, 21-0, at the half. It looked as if El Dorado's dominance would continue into the third quarter after the Tigers wasted a long drive by fumbling on the Hawks' 18-yard line.

But the Tigers defense kept El Dorado pinned back, and when the Hawks fumbled on a fourth-down punt try, Valencia's Omar Perez recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. El Dorado was held to a three-and-out on its next possession, and Valencia followed with 61-yard scoring drive capped by a 2-yard run from Matt Gonzalez.

A two-point conversion got the Tigers to within 21-15 with 44 seconds left in the third. El Dorado then took over and held the ball for more than eight minutes before missing a 45 yard field goal try. Valencia took over on its own 20 with 3:55 remaining, but an interception and 30 yard return by Ellison pretty much put the game away. A 2 yard scoring run from Ambuehl with 2:16 left sealed the victory. "Any time you play in a rival game like this, you are going to have big plays on both sides," Racobs said.