By MARK E. STRODER - For The Californian | Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010 12:56 am

MURRIETA -- The Vista Murrieta football team received an extra-special performance from its special teams on Friday night.

The Broncos erupted for 31 second-quarter points — 24 of which were either scored or set up by their special teams — en route to a 45-18 victory over Great Oak.

"Every week we go into (games) trying to make big plays in special teams, whether it be blocked punts, returns, kickoffs, anything where we see a weakness," said Vista Murrieta coach Coley Candaele. "Sometimes the offense can have a bad night, sometimes the defense can have a bad night, but the special teams can always have a good night."

The Broncos (7-1, 3-0) remained in a first-place tie in the Southwestern League with rival Murrieta Valley. Great Oak dropped to 3-5, 1-2.

 

"They did a good job, and we had some critical breakdowns that really helped them a lot," said Great Oak coach Robbie Robinson.

The Broncos' special teams unit had a great night on Friday. Their second-quarter heroics included:

-- An electrifying punt return for a touchdown by Javonte Slater.

-- A touchdown return of a muffed punt.

-- A blocked punt by Jagade Snyder that resulted in a John Hardin 3-yard touchdown run.

-- A 40-yard field goal by Tyler Rausa as time expired in the second quarter.

"We always put a lot of time out of our practice into our special teams," said Vista Murrieta linebacker Shane Applegate, who scooped up a muffed punt return and ran it in from 18 yards out, giving his team a 21-6 lead.

"That's really a big deal here at our school, and that's what helps us win a lot of games out here."

Slater, who had been nursing a high ankle injury the last few weeks, appears to be fully recovered. The 5-foot-9 senior raced past a host of Wolfpack defenders on both a 60-yard punt return in the second quarter and an 85-yard kickoff return in the third.

"(On the punt return), Randy Perez made an amazing block and took out the first defender, and left me with lots of room to the outside," he said. "We think special teams are one of the most important things to winning a football game."

Said Candaele: "When (Slater) gets in the open field, (the ankle) looks OK."

Vista Murrieta's offense produced just 96 yards and five first downs in the first half. Utah-bound quarterback Derrick Brown, who was fighting flu symptoms all week, threw for 26 yards before leaving after two quarters.

But none of it mattered thanks to a unit that had his back.

"Special teams means everything to this team," said Brown, who rushed for 36 yards on five carries. "We try to perform well in all three areas of the game."

Said Candaele: "The offense struggled a little bit, but special teams picked up the slack. The offense wasn't on the field very often because the special teams kept making the plays."

Great Oak's Kem Simon stepped in front of a Brown pass toward the sideline and returned the interception 40 yards for a touchdown, giving the Wolfpack a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Broncos' first touchdown was scored in a more conventional fashion. Eight consecutive runs were followed by Brown's 10-yard pass to Shane Paulson, giving Vista Murrieta a 7-6 lead with 9:39 remaining in the second quarter.