TRACK STAR RUNS FOR 142 YARDS AND A SCORE IN BRONCOS' FINAL NONLEAGUE GAME

By BRIAN HAAS - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 12:39 am

PACIFIC PALISADES ---- Jovonte Slater played a half while rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and Vista Murrieta's football team wrapped up its nonleague schedule on the road Friday night with a 45-16 rout of Pacific Palisades.

The Broncos (4-1) can now set their sights on the team that defeated them ---- Chaparral ---- in the CIF Southern Section Inland Division championship game last season, as they will open up Southwestern League play against the Pumas in a televised game Thursday.

"This was an important game tonight," Slater said. "We wanted to come out firing on all cylinders. This is how we have to play next week. This was great tonight, but now we have to come together, work harder and focus on the bigger goal."

 

A 45-yard drive by Palisades to open the game came to a screeching halt on the 3-yard line when Su'a Cravens forced and recovered a fumble to give Vista Murrieta control of the ball.

The Broncos then gave the keys over to Slater and let him drive for 97 yards on five straight plays, capped by a 74-yard touchdown run. The senior showcased so much speed on the play that not even his cleats could hang on, as he ran the majority of the distance with only one shoe after one flew off.

"I followed the blocks and saw that seam," Slater said. "When I went to cut, my shoe just fell off, and all I could think of was just keep running; you're not down yet."

Added Vista Murrieta head coach Coley Candaele: "Slater did a nice job today. He had the blocking and the open field. When he gets in that open field, he is really fast ... even with one shoe."

Pacific Palisades (2-3) answered the touchdown with its second time-consuming drive of the contest, this one lasting 7 minutes and 47 seconds. But the Dolphins had to settle for a 35-yard field goal.

The Broncos allowed 82 rushing yards from the Dolphins in the first quarter, but only 22 in the second quarter.

"It took us a quarter to adjust to them," Candaele said. "They ran their offense with a lot of enthusiasm in the first quarter and were able to put together two nice drives."

And then Vista Murrieta took over.

Aaron Piecukonis started the next drive with a 49-yard kick return that set up a 44-yard drive capped by John Hardin's 4-yard touchdown run. Tyler Rausa then gave the Broncos a 17-3 with a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the half.

The Broncos were electric out of the break, scoring three more times in the third quarter on rushing touchdowns from quarterback Derrick Brown and Hardin, and a 22-yard touchdown reception from Piecukonis. Vista Murrieta earned 76 rushing yards of its own in the quarter.

Brown went 9-for-13 in the air for 117 yards in the contest with a touchdown.

"A win like this gives us some momentum going into next week, "Brown said. "Offense, defense, and special teams, I am proud of how we played tonight."