ESCONDIDO – Punters typically don't get much media attention – especially when they share the same uniform as Ricky Seale, the San Diego Section's leading rusher.
But in Escondido High's 14-12 win last night over visiting Fallbrook in the San Diego Section Division I quarterfinals, it was unsung punter Kenny York who bailed out his teammates in the first half when the Cougars offense was ineffective. With the victory, No. 2 Escondido (9-2) advances to the Division I semifinals, where they will host Mission Hills on Friday.
York boomed three punts of 45-plus yards to either pin Fallbrook or get his teammates out of sneezing distance from their goal post.
“I was kicking (poorly) during warm-ups and I knew I needed to pick it up,” said the junior, who goes by the nickname Thunder Foot. “I've come a long way from the preseason scrimmage when I kicked a 5-yard punt 30 yards out of bounds.”
While the first half was rescued by York, the second half was all Seale.
The junior rushed for a total of 280 yards on 36 carries, including an 88-yard, go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.
The only points in the first half came in the opening quarter when Fallbrook quarterback Michael Welsh connected with a wide-open Kameron Drawhorn for a 10-yard strike. The failed PAT gave Fallbrook (5-7) a 6-0 advantage at the half.
For the Cougars, the first half was accented by penalties and dropped balls.
“There are a lot of things we have to do better if we want to continue,” coach Paul Gomes said.
Escondido opened the second half with a 79-yard drive, mostly on the legs of Seale, which ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Zach Embrey to Evan Langston, giving the Cougars a 7-6 lead.
Three plays before Seale's 88-yard run in the fourth, Fallbrook was turned away with fourth-and-1 at the Escondido 5.
But Fallbrook didn't go down quietly. With 1:40 to play, Welsh connected with Marquis Sumpter on a 40-yard touchdown. Seale, who was guarding Sumpter, slipped on the coverage, allowing the score. Trailing 14-12, Fallbrook went for two points, and it was Seale who stopped Aaron Atkins at the 1-yard line, preserving the win.
“Both teams were hitting hard,” Seale said. “The defense rallied behind me and we made the plays.”
As for his 88-yard run?
“They were stacking nine in the box, which is what they are supposed to do,” Gomes said. “But you figured he'd finally break one.”
Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304; kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com
