After posting a 39-0 win over visiting Anza Hamilton in their season opener on Aug. 21, the Mountain Empire Red Hawks football team sputtered a bit with a 46-21 loss against Linfield Christian the following week.
The Red Hawks (2-1) returned to the win column in a big way against the O’Farrell Charter Falcons (0-3) last Friday with a 50-16 non-league victory.
Mountain Empire rolled up 522 yards in total offense. Junior Elisha Robinson had the bulk of those with 305 rushing yards, four touchdowns and a 93-yard kickoff return for a score to lead the team with five touchdowns.
Senior Amar Mahasin had five pass receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown. Senior quarterback Chance Ross generated 133 passing yards with one passing touchdown and 69 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Junior Nic Santos returned to the lineup from an injury with three catches for 30 yards to help open up the offense.
On the defensive side, junior Angel Avila led the victors with 10 tackles while junior Jamie Reyes and senior Spencer Alvarez each logged seven defensive stops. Robinson and Alvarez each had one sack.
Junior Elias Gutierrez averaged 42.9 yards on seven kickoffs while Robinson collected 118 yards on two kick returns.
The Red Hawks have three non-league games remaining on their schedule before kicking off Desert League play Oct. 2 against Vincent Memorial.
Next up on the schedule is Friday’s home game against the Crawford Colts (1-2), who are coming off their first win of the season — a 36-0 shutout over San Ysidro last week.
“We’re back to 0-0 and focusing our time and energy all on Crawford,” Mountain Empire head coach Cameron Keller said. “We know they’re a tough school and we have to show up to practice going 100 percent.”
Foothills Christian 41, Orange Glen 7
Junior quarterback Hayden Oleson passed for 93 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 40-yard rush to assist the Knights to their first win of the season. Senior David Stewart (17 carries, 185 yards) also scored three rushing touchdowns.
Sophomore Isaac Maisonet had five catches for 65 yards and one touchdowns while senior Jonah Nottoll caught a five-yard TD pass.
Junior Drew Mikulsky led the defense with 11 tackles while sophomore Jax Vizkeleti ahd 10 stops. Sophomore Duke Houston had five tackles for losses. Maisonet and Mikulsky each had interceptions while senor Jace Hilemon had a fumble recovery.
