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."