Pacifica Stays in Race, Romps Past Los Amigos

GARDEN GROVE — Pacifica High School remained in hot pursuit of La Quinta in the Garden Grove League race Friday night by rolling over Los Amigos, 28-0, at Garden Grove High School.

The Mariners (5-2, 3-1 in league play) displayed a well-balanced offense--led by quarterback Chris Castellano and running back Derrick Nicholson--and a tough defense that limited Los Amigos (3-4, 1-3) to 74 yards total offense for the game to remain a game behind front-running La Quinta.

Castellano completed 11 of 17 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, while Nicholson, who was able to play when his separated shoulder popped back into place Thursday night, led a Mariner rushing attack with 122 yards in 22 carries, including a 12-yard touchdown run. Pacifica rolled up 178 yards rushing.

“Castellano was excellent in the first half,” said Mariner coach Bill Craven. “He’s a very talented young man.”

Pacifica drove for scores in its first two possessions on drives of 76 and 70 yards. Castellano passed 25 yards to Scott Lesser for the first Mariner touchdown with 8:01 left in the first quarter, and Dave Anderson kicked the conversion.

A diving, over-the-shoulder catch of a 41-yard Castellano pass by Eric Stevens set up the second score, a 12-yard run on the next play by Nicholson.

Castellano sneaked over from the one to end a 55-yard drive to give the Mariners a 21-0 third-quarter lead. Ryan Bremer’s 34-yard scoring run finished off an 88-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Jullien Borm kicked both second-half conversions.