Poway is off to best start in school history

By: John Scafetta - For the North County Times | Saturday, September 29, 2007 12:49 AM PDT ∞

Poway's Nick Ricciardulli is pursued by Fallbrook's Jake Ware during Friday night action at Poway High School.
DANIEL RAIFSNIDER For The North County Times
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POWAY -- The Poway High football team has concocted, to this point, a flawless formula.

With the combination of running back Nick Ricciardulli and a premier defense, the No. 2-ranked Titans made school history Friday night with a 35-6 win over Fallbrook.

The victory pushed the Titans' record to 5-0, surpassing their 4-0 start to the 1980 campaign.

"We're a part of history, and I'm really excited," Poway coach Damian Gonzalez said. "The kids are doing a great job."

Following a horrid first possession on offense in the first quarter, a series that included Ricciardulli being stopped twice at the Fallbrook 2-yard line, the Titans came alive.

The junior running back carried the load for the Titans, scoring the first of his three touchdowns with a 22-yard run in the first quarter. The drive took just four plays, all of them runs.

The Poway defense had five sacks in first half, including two each by Thomas Baker and Bobby Nelson. The defense allowed just 182 first-half yards.

"Our kids just wanted to come out and prove that we have a great defense," Gonzalez said.

Ricciardulli had 32 carries for 265 yards, including 10 carries in the first half for 148 yards. He has gained at least 100 yards in four of his first five games, while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

"The offensive line opened up some huge holes for me," Ricciardulli said. "I really didn't have to do much."

Fallbrook, which had a bye week to prepare for the matchup, failed to take advantage of four Poway turnovers.

Offensively, the Warriors (1-3) had problems moving the ball both through the air and on the ground. After place-kicker Rogilio Zamundio failed on a 43-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, Poway ran the ball five straight times, completing the drive with a Ricciardulli 59-yard touchdown run down the right sideline.

Fallbrook junior backup quarterback Michael Leonard, who remains the starter with regular quarterback Saber Youman shelved with an arm injury, completed 8-of-26 passes for 108 yards.

The Warriors' only score came on an 11-yard touchdown run from Dewayne Mitchell, which was setup by a T.J Sumter fumble recovery at the Poway 13.

The Titans added two fourth-quarter touchdowns, with another Ricciardulli run of 15 yards and a halfback pass from Nick Milani to Ryan Deehan for 5 yards.

"Our offensive line really made some holes tonight," Gonzalez said. "It was good to get some good rushing. That is what we wanted to do, establish the run.

With nonleague play concluded, the Titans will use a bye week to prepare for Torrey Pines in the Palomar League opener.

"It feels great," Ricciardulli said. "We are ready for league. We're just going to gear it up the next two weeks."

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

WARRIOR MAN wrote on Sep 29, 2007 2:43 PM:It was obvious that last night FB was beaten by a better team. Let's hope the Warriors can bounce back this week.

on fire wrote on Oct 2, 2007 12:40 PM:1-9 season. Will Schmidt be fired or will he resign?

Cleaning Crew wrote on Oct 2, 2007 1:11 PM:I think Mr. Schmidt should stay on as the defensive coordinator for next year. We need a new head coach, o. coord., and passing coach while we're at it. It's time to clean house, and I hope the admin. has the courage to do what needs to be done. this is getting ridiculous, and the team is paying the price.-

warrior fan wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:31 PM:The coaches of fuhs are doing a good job. Teaching character, staying positve with the players, making progress on the field, a new field, and Coach Schmidt is going to make the necessary adjustments. Look at the mess he had to take over for. He is really is in his first year since he took over so late after the Houlihan regime.

Salute the Sticker wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:59 AM:This is to warrior fan: I know you're trying to stay positive, but at some point you have to take your head out of the sand. Let me respond to your comments specifically: 1. Teaching character (did you miss the offensive coordinator's melt down on the sidelines a few weeks ago? No one within 50 feet of him missed it. How does that teach character? Team rules are inconsistent, morale is low, and both of these are unforgivable in a team sport) 2. You say the coaches have stayed positive with the players (that's EVERY coaches' job, you don't get points for that.) 3. Schmidt is going to make adjustments (I'll give you points for that since he got rid of the wing-t) 4. The mess Schmidt had to take over after Houlihan (no points for that one, the mess was basically financial, and although it hit the team, the players most impacted graduated last year) 5. Schmidt is in his first year since he took over "late" (no points there either since he took over in June 06, well before the season started, and we know the results of his "first" season, so this is technically his second. 15 months is too long to keep bashing our heads against the wall, isn't it?) Wouldn't you agree that perhaps his lack of experience on the field, combined with a tough introduction to the sport, has extended his "learning" period? Don't misunderstand me, I blame the administration for not seeing the need to choose a fully-experienced coach immediately after Houlihan left to soften the blow of the crisis that Houlihan created. You don't use a rookie(no offense intended, Coach Schmidt) in a tough play-off situation. I wish them the best, but I see a need for change.-

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