ANAHEIM – Quarterback Nick Garcia threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of TDs as Pacifica defeated Western, 34-0, in an Empire League game Thursday at Western High.
The Mariners (6-3 overall) evened their league record at 2-2. They will have to win their final league game next week against Valencia to have a chance to earn one of the league’s automatic berths to the playoffs.
Pacifica took advantage of a short field to take a 6-0 lead following a drive that was capped off by a 9-yard TD pass from Garcia to Matt Moslenko (8 catches 111 yards) with 1:28 left in the opening quarter.
The Mariners recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Pioneers’ 31 and six plays later upped its lead to 13-0.
Garcia capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Pacifica had several opportunities in the first half to increase its lead but a stubborn Pioneers’ defense, led by Otto Carmona and Jalen Harrington, foiled three Mariners drives inside the Western 25-yard line.
Western (0-4, 1-8) had its best scoring chance late in the second quarter. The Pioneers marched 15 plays to the Mariners 29-yard line, but Jacob Adams’ fourth down pass attempt fell incomplete, halting Western’s drive.
The Mariners scored three touchdowns in the second half to break the game open.
Garcia tossed a short TD pass to Tommy Mercurio and then raced in from 9 yards out as the Pacifica led 27-0 after three quarters. Garcia also passed for 177 yards.
Ben Jefferson added a TD pass to Matthew Estrada to complete Pacifica’s scoring.
Notes: “As far as we are concerned, this was a playoff game and next week is as well,” said Mariners coach Vinnie Lopez.
Despite losing, Western’s coach Dan Davidson said his team remains upbeat.
“We’ve played hard all year and we’re continuing to improve,” he said.
