In what head coach Darrin Brown called his team’s “most complete game of the season”, the #2 ranked La Costa Canyon Mavericks dismantled #12 Mission Hills 56-7 Friday night on the LCC campus. The Mavericks’ (6-0, 1-0 Avocado League) hurry-up offense never punted, and their first-team “Gang Green” defense sacked Mission Hills’ QB Hunter Moore seven times while not allowing a point. Even their special teams-led by defensive giant Ian Seau- blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.
Not a bad night for a team that’s just starting to fire on all cylinders, said Brown after the game:
While superstar wide receiver Kenny Stills and the LCC offense get the headlines and attention, it’s the defense that stood out as a unit on Friday night. Junior lineman Ian Seau pitched a tent in the Mission Hills backfield, recording two sacks while blocking a second-quarter punt and recovering it in the end zone for a touchdown. He added a 19-yard reception as a tight end on offense, but Seau told 619 Sports after the game it’s rushing the quarterback that gets his heart pumping:
Hear from Kenny Stills, plus more from Coach Brown and Ian Seau after the jump:
Kenny Stills throws a first quarter TD pass to Jacob Siem/(NC Times photo)
LCC scored on their first two possessions, both on touchdown receptions by Jacob Siem, to quickly douse the spirit of the visiting Grizzlies. Kenny Stills continued his romp through the SD Section, catching 9 passes for 131 yards while adding a 29 yard touchdown pass of his own to open the scoring for the Mavericks. The TD pass for Stills came on a direct snap out of the “Gator” formation, named for the University of Florida, which covets Stills’ presence on their campus next year. Kenny was beaming after the game when he was asked about the chance to throw a pass instead of catching one:
Meanwhile, LCC’s zone blocking was opening holes for its talented pair of tailbacks. Westin Manor carried 10 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Seth Hanson added 37 yards and a score. Coach Brown was pleased with the physical play of his offensive line:
But the defense was the real story, allowing a couple of big plays but answering with seven sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Brown spread around postgame praise but focused on a disruptive defensive line:
Ian Seau led a dominant defensive effort for LCC/(619 Sports photo)
Ian Seau is living up to the Seau moniker. He’s the type of player you simply have to account for and locate on the field on every play. Seau was still fired up after the game talking about his mates on the “Gang Green” defense:
On a night when Cathedral lost at Lincoln and Escondido tied on the road at Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon is starting to separate itself from the pack of talented North County teams. They stand out as the most balanced team in San Diego Section, with a superstar in all three phases of the game (senior kicker Bobby Zalud kicks a touchback every time and has 50-yard range on field goals) and no obvious weakness. Oceanside has the top ranking and a state title to lean back on, but while their defense has been dominant, LCC is the better offensive team.
A big showdown with Escondido in two weeks will help shake things out further, but on this night, it was hard to imagine any team being able to run with these Mavericks for 48 minutes and come out ahead.
BONUS: Listen to Ian Seau’s complete interview with 619 Sports:
BONUS: Listen to all of Kenny Still’s postgame comments on 619 Sports:
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