SOLANA BEACH — Winning, and winning big, has become the norm for Santa Fe Christian.
Coming into Thursday’s game against Willowbrook King/Drew High School, SFC had outscored its opponents 299-34 on the way to an undefeated start.
And Santa Fe Christian once again lit up the scoreboard, routing the visitors 35-7 to improve to 7-0. Dating back to last season, Santa Fe Christian has won 17 consecutive regular-season games.
“We always say we have three goals: win a Coastal League championship, win a CIF championship, and play football as long as they let us,” SFC coach Jon Wallace said.
The Eagles’ offense wasted little time grabbing an early lead against King/Drew. Quarterback Dax Labrum hit an uncovered Cruz Campbell for an easy 16-yard score to give Santa Fe Christian the early 7-0 lead.
Two possessions later, Santa Fe Christian added to its lead as senior running back Brady Berg punched in a1-yard rushing score to stretch the Eagles’ lead to 14-0. Senior cornerback Brett Vermillion set up thequick three-play scoring drive with an interception at the King/Drew 11-yard line.
“The offense’s mentality is that they think they can score every play,” Wallace said. “They believe they’re going to score every time we line up.”
On the ensuing King/Drew possession, Santa Fe Christian defenders continued to make plays. On the firstplay from scrimmage after the touchdown, linebacker Charles Stover jumped in front of a flat route andreturned it for a 26-yard pick-six, making it a 21-0 Eagles lead at the half.
Over the first two quarters of action, Santa Fe Christian’s defense generated as many interceptions (3) asfirst downs allowed (3).
“I had coverage in the flat, and I honestly was ready for the hit with the quarterback throwing off his backfoot, but I saw the ball right in my face, and I just thought it doesn’t get any better than this,” Stover said.
The Eagles’ defense remained relentless in the second half.
After a half-opening scoring drive by the Santa Fe Christian offense, capped by a 9-yard rushing scoreby Brodie Stuart, the Eagles defense came away with its second score of the night.
With King/Drew facing a third-and-10 from its own 30-yard line, the Eagles’ front four broke through andimmediately pressured quarterback Damico Martin. Attempting to throw the ball away, Martin’s pass was nabbedby defensive tackle Zander Vulakh. With the ball in his hands, the big man promptly rumbled into the endzone for the Eagles’ second pick-six and fifth forced turnover of the night.
“I saw the ball, and my first thought was: ‘How am I going to get this to the end zone?’” Vulakh said with a laugh.
“This defense, we’re not the biggest bunch, but everywhere the ball goes, there are three or four guys thereto make a play. We’re tough.”