PREP FOOTBALL: Diverse Ramona routs San Marcos to remain unbeaten
By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | ∞
San Marcos' Josh White takes down Ramona's Joey Dambrose during the second quarter on Friday. Photo by Don Boomer - Staff photographer. SAN MARCOS ---- It was all for naught, but perhaps no play better embodies the success of Ramona High football this season than Joey Dambrose's 84-yard touchdown late in the second quarter Friday night.
Dambrose raced left on the play ---- which was called back for offensive holding ---- then cut back and dodged several tackles. Before long, he was surrounded by five blockers, including several offensive lineman, without a defender in sight.
"That's how we play," Dambrose said after Ramona's 43-7 Valley League victory over San Marcos. "It's Bulldog family. I knew they were going to be there. It's too bad it got called back. ... We have to keep this going."
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Even without the long scoring run, Dambrose finished with two touchdowns and 87 yards rushing. He was one of five different players to score for the No. 6-ranked Bulldogs (6-0, 2-0), who have relied on a family of skill position players since star running back Jarred Gallegos suffered a knee injury over the summer. Gallegos ran for 995 yards and 14 TDs in 2007.
The Bulldogs feature a multipronged attack led by quarterback Ian Hunt. And though he wasn't as sharp as he would have liked Friday, Hunt made plays with his arm and his feet, throwing for one score to Matt Ott and running for another.
"Yeah we've had injuries, but guys have stepped up in different spots," Ramona coach Damon Baldwin said. "We're not a one-dimensional team. We're just trying to spread the ball around. ... Once the running game got going, we played great football."
Ramona's defense continued its stellar play, beginning with Christian Rodriguez's 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter that tied the game 7-7. The Bulldogs have held their six opponents to an average of less than eight points per game.
From there, Ramona took advantage of a San Marcos offense that lost Ryan Cochrane ---- who entered with 541 rushing yards and nine TDs ---- to an ankle injury in the first quarter. Without Cochrane, who set up an early score with a 63-yard punt return, the Knights (2-4, 0-2) were held to 123 yards of offense.
"We were at a disadvantage, but they're a solid team and we didn't execute like we wanted to," Knights coach Pulu Poumele said. "But when you've got a young guy in there for a veteran, it changes things a bit."
Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com
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D-Rod wrote on Oct 11, 2008 4:35 AM:RAMONA is the real deal. were going to win it all this year.
iluvoceanside wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:40 AM:not if oceanside has anything to do with it! good luck ramona!! see you at the end of the season!
Pirate wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:49 AM:Ramona wont play Oceanside for the section title, they, I believe are D-III, and I hope they do beat Cathedoral Catholic. The OCeanside Pirates had San Marcos 42-0 early in the 3rd quarter, then put their bench in. Like to see all North County Champions at Quall Comm this year ? Ramona, Oceanside, and Escondido or Vista ? GO PIRATES !
dons wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:45 PM:do you honestly think you could beat cathedral?
DL wrote on Oct 11, 2008 6:53 PM:Ramona is rediculous this year. They've blown out all of their opponents. It'll be exciting to watch them go up against 3 top teams in the last 3 weeks of the season.
hmm wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:33 AM:not convinced on Ramona...these next 3 weeks(except OG) will be very telling of who the Ramona football team really is? pretender or contender?
Ed wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:44 PM:San Marcos, New coach, same old BAD team!!!
To Ed wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:13 PM:Why do you think San Marcos is always soooooo bad. Is it poor coaching? Players? Administration?
pirates... wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:57 PM:i just think its lack of talent?? i dont know whats up with san marcos but hopefully they will get better!
Yo Ed wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:57 PM:With the hiring of the latest football coach the SMHS admin has finally done something right, but you don't make up for four years of bad decisions in one season. Unfortunately, while the football program is being given plenty of attention, there are other sports that won't see any improvement for several years because of a lack of desire on the part of the AD and others to make the hires that would make a difference. There is talented athletes at SMHS, but if they are being led by part-time, un-experienced coach\teachers we'll never have success athletically.
realsdfootball wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:58 AM:Be careful and don't run out the talented coach and let him go to a more lucrative spot. It takes time to turn lemons into lemonade. Coach Poumele is an excellent hire.
deb wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:23 AM:why does everyone cap on Ramona? Can't you just admit excellence when you see it? Coach Baldwin and his players are awesome
ron wrote on Oct 16, 2008 5:59 PM:ramona is good this year... but the real heartbeat and excellence goes to the OCEANSIDE PIRATES!
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