Published October 1st, 2008
Skyline Offense Stays Grounded in Cougar Win
By Alex Crook
Tommy Stephens (8) hands off to Cookie Kazzaz (25) Photo Doug Kohen

On Friday, Sept. 26, Campo varsity football kept on rolling with a 21-0 rout of the Skyline Titans.
The first quarter saw a slow progression for Campo quarterback Tommy Stephens and the Cougar offense as they steadily drove the ball down field.
With five minutes left in the first quarter, Cookie Kazzaz carried the ball 15 yards to the Titan 25 before moving it 14 more yards all the way down to the 11. The Cougars slowly made their way into the end zone, and Anthony "Rocket" Rodriguez punched it in from the two yard line to give his Cougars a 7-0 lead at the end of the quarter.
In the second, Stephens dumped a short pass out to his receiver but couldn't hold on, giving the ball back to Skyline. On the ensuing Titan possession, the well-known Cougar defense came up big time with a stop on fourth and one. Rodriguez went back to work.
The Cougars drove the ball 13 yards to the Campolindo 46. Rodriguez easily converted on a fourth and one, and Campo kept the ball. Rodriguez's 15-yard run set up a first and 10 at the Skyline 29.
On a gutsy call on fourth and 10, Stephens connected with Garrett Holmes 13 yards for another Cougar first, this one at Skyline's 16. Rodriguez later rushed for his second touchdown of the night, taking off from the 10-yard line. The board read 14-0 Cougars.
On the kickoff, the Titan return man weaved through the Campo special teams before being brought down at the 50.
The Titans started to feel some momentum after that kick with an 18-yard run to Campo's 32 yard line. With five seconds left, the Titans had a fourth and seven on the Campo 29, but their QB went down hard, and the first half ended 14-0 Cougars.
In the second half, Skyline's lightning fast kick returner intercepted Stephens' pass and the Titans had a first down at Campo's 26. When it came to fourth and 15 from the 32, Will Coleman broke through the Titan line for a quarterback sack, forcing a turnover on downs.
Further into the quarter on a Titan possession, a pass interference call on the Cougars gave Skyline a first down at Campo's 48. However, the Titans wasted their chance, putting the ball on the ground. Joe Durantini recovered it for the Cougars.
With 1:35 left, Tommy Stephens let go a beautiful 43-yard bomb to Nathan Kinney for another Campo score, which made it 21-0.
On the kickoff, the Cougars again couldn't handle the Skyline special teams, and the Titans took it back to Campo's 41 for great field position to end the third quarter.
In the final 12 minutes, Skyline fumbled two straight times but recovered both. On the fourth down punt, Skyline took the ball back, only for it to be picked off by the outstanding Cougar defense.
When the Titans finally got the ball back, they fumbled again and the Cougars recovered it. It was Skyline's fourth fumble of the night.
On fourth down with 2:55 left, Stephens' pass was incomplete. Skyline only had time for one more play before the clock ran out on them.
Next week the Cougars can sit back and relax for their bye week, and the Titans will try again to record a win when they return home to face Jesse Bethel High.

Anthony Rodriguez (20) Photo Doug Kohen

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