A 62-yard punt return and a 77-yard interception return that both went for touchdowns contributed mightily in El Capitan of Lakeside shutting out Paso Robles 41-0 in the CIF Southern California Division III bowl game.
For more on Campolindo of Moraga’s win over Sutter, CLICK HERE.
While the score was a bit of a blowout it was just a 3-0 game at the end of the first quarter before the Vaqueros took control in the second quarter.
El Capitan opened the second quarter scoring with a one-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Capoocia, but he quickly followed that up with a 62-yard punt return for another six points.
Senior two-way standout D.J. Smith is also one of the Vaqueros’ top players and he got the defense on the board with a 77-yard touchdown on an interception return.
The second quarter onslaught continued when senior quarterback Brad Cagle connected for a 15-yard touchdown pass to Frankie Lima.
Facing a 31-0 deficit at halftime, the CIF Southern Section Northern Division champions from Paso Robles didn’t have much impetus and could not score. The Vaqueros, meanwhile, added a second field goal from kicker Takota Curo and a short touchdown run by Brad Cagle.
El Capitan, which had not even played in a section final since 1993, will now go for its first CIF state title on Friday against Campolindo of Moraga.
Both teams are unbeaten but El Capitan has a win over Helix of La Mesa (which some had as preseason No. 1 in San Diego), which is a team that does seem superior to any that Campolindo has faced. Other than that, it’s hard to get too much of an early read on the two state finalists.
5 Comments
Very surprised about this score, but where is Bearcats97 and Beercat at right about now? They are very quiet..haha
I was at the game boys played hard but what can u do when ur starting running back 2 starting wide receivers who also are the starting 2 safety’s who combined for 4500 yds and 50 tds on the season don’t play and the kicker who is one of the best in California got hurt on first kickoff don’t have much of a chance against a good team the punts were terrible all night wouldn’t of happened if the kicker didn’t get hurt. If just bailey Gaither played would of been a different story. Imagine if el capitan didn’t have Dj johnson #13 and #21 who pretty much scored all there points how would of the game went. The defense played good don’t think el cap even had 300 yds of offense they just had no help and finally wore down. No doubt in my mind paso Robles would of won the game if healthy but injuries are part of the game just sucks it hit them all at once. El capitan is very good just wish paso was healthy would of been a awesome game. Congrats to el capitan and good luck in the state championship game
I hope people didn’t think el capitan beat the real paso team. It’s sad there every article I read about the game there is no mention to all the injuries paso Robles had people just look at the score and right a article no homework at all I couldn’t do my job like that and get away with it. Good for them
Bearcats97,
Stop crying, you got spanked by 41! No way a few players make up the difference, How about giving El Cap the respect it deserves, undefeated with wins over major open division teams. Sour grapes from up north!
Not crying here just stating facts that the game would of been different not saying paso would of one but those were not average players missing bailey Gaither is a all state player can’t replace that last year against hart high school and everyone knows hart is legit he had 360 yds total and 5 tds in a cif game but he didn’t play against el cap. I did give respect to el cap they won the game that’s all what matters good luck to them in the state championship game they deserve it.