Oceanside outburst downs Torrey Pines

By: JOHN SCAFETTA - For the North County Times | Saturday, October 6, 2007 12:32 AM PDT ∞

CARMEL VALLEY -- The game nearly slipped away from the Oceanside High football team Friday night at Ed Burke Field.

In the second half, anyway.

A spirited comeback attempt from Torrey Pines was silenced with one of several offensive outbursts from the Pirates (4-1), who finally ran away with a 56-25 victory in the final non-conference matchup for both teams.

"They did a couple things on offense that we had not prepared for," Oceanside coach John Carroll said. "You have to give their players and staff credit. They made a game of it in the second quarter."

Torrey Pines scored two touchdowns late in the second quarter to pull within 21-19 at halftime.

Then things fell apart for Torrey Pines (1-4), as Oceanside scored three consecutive touchdowns in a five-minute span to start the second half.

The Pirates, ranked No. 3 in San Diego County, have strung together four consecutive victories since their season-opening setback against Helix and dominated the Falcons both through the air and on the ground.

"Our kids came out with fire and intensity and took control of the game," Carroll added.

Carroll, still recovering from a right leg injury he suffered on the sideline during Week 1, directed the Pirates from an area adjacent to the press box and said he expects to back on the sidelines next week.

Oceanside's Jordan Wynn, North County's passing leader, completed 14 of 15 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.

"It feels great heading into league 4-1," Wynn said. "We were just pounding it right down them and our o-line was opening up the hole. They played great and played their hearts out. Our o-line is probably the best in the county, if not the best."

Senior running back Armani Taylor carried the ball 20 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns.

But Frank Zimmerman stole the show. The Pirates' wide receiver, place kicker and defensive star played the jack-of-all-trades for the Pirates.

The senior converted on eight extra-point attempts, caught four passes for 91 yards and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

"I was very nervous about those PATs," Zimmerman said. "It was the first time I've ever done it on varsity."

Coming off a bye week, in which the Falcons had time to mull over their 40-17 blowout loss to San Pasqual last week, Torrey Pines failed to find consistent offense. Falcons quarterback Casey Allred completed just 8 of 15 passes for 125 yards, before leaving in the fourth quarter with a injury to his left leg.

However, the senior play-caller did have an impressive 66-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.

Oceanside's defense put the game away in the fourth quarter, with the Zimmerman interception return and a Jareez Cleveland fumble recovery in end zone.

Oceanside now gears up for next week's heavyweight bout with No. 1-ranked Carlsbad in the Avocado League opener.

"We just talked about trying to gain the momentum early. If we did that, we'd get the win," Zimmerman said. "We feel very confident and we're looking forward to Carlsbad and trying to knock them off."

Contact John Scafetta at John_Scafetta@yahoo.com. Comment at Sports@ncvarsity.com

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