CARLSBAD – In a matchup that featured the top two teams in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s latest prep football rankings for the first time since 2024, Darian Webb took over in the second half to propel top-ranked Carlsbad to a 38-21 home win over No. 2 Mission Hills Friday.

“It’s great to be out here with the guys, dominating and executing your game plan,” said Webb, who recorded 29 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns. “Just like Coach (Thadd MacNeal) says, ‘We’re just doing our 3 C’s: committed, compelled and compliant.”

All three of Webb’s touchdowns came in the second half from 15, 35 and 22 yards out as the Lancers (7-0, 2-0 Avocado West League) scored on all four of their drives after halftime before taking a knee at the Grizzlies 1-yard line to seal the game.

“Darian’s a guy that is a very patient, strong runner and then you got to keep giving him touch opportunities.” MacNeal said of Webb, who recorded 165 of his 218 rushing yards in the second half. “He has tremendous heart and desire. He’s hard to bring down and he’s so dynamic.”

To open the third quarter, Webb helped Carlsbad take the lead for good, capping off an 11-play, 75-yard drive that was set up by Antonio D’Alessandro finding Travis Jeffrey for a 36-yard catch before senior Webb’s 15-yard rushing touchdown.

Webb said his third 200-plus yard rushing game of the season is credited to his blockers for opening up gaps.

“It was great, especially when the line is talking every play, working to go out there and dominate,” Webb said. “It’s great to run behind such a great O-line.”

As the running game was getting going in the first half, it opened up the pass game as D’Alessandro threw both of his touchdowns, finding Cash Redman and Brendan Prasuhn for 22- and 18-yard scores, respectively.

Carlsbad also took advantage defensively in the second half as they got a fourth-down stop on an incomplete pass and Dylan Sims recovered a fumble on a run by Grizzlies quarterback Furian Inferrera.

“Humongous,” MacNeal said of the turnovers. “(Mission Hills) is so explosive. Any kind of stop against them is a win and it gives our offense some opportunities.”

Inferrera, who completed 7 of 20 passes for 123 yards, logged a 77-yard touchdown on the second play of the game to Ryan Mackenzie before Ex Taela recorded a 53-yard rushing touchdown to give Mission Hills (5-2, 1-1 Avocado West) a 14-7 lead with 2:36 left in the opening quarter.

Mackenzie, who caught four passes for 92 yards, logged a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown to cut the Lancers lead to three, 24-21, with 9:47 left in the game.

Next Friday, both Carlsbad and Mission Hills continue Avocado West League play. The Lancers host San Marcos while the Grizzlies host Torrey Pines.