WEST HILLS — The Oaks Christian football team used its defense to force turnovers and get the ball in running back Deshonne Redeaux’s hands to hold off Chaminade, 24-17, on Friday night.
Redeaux rushed for two touchdowns in the game. Easton Thompson returned an interception for a touchdown as the Lions’ fought through penalties in their season-opening win.
“We made it a tougher game than what it had to be,” Oaks Christian coach Charlie Collins said. “We had opportunities to put the game away early and we didn’t. But a win is a win. Any time you come on the road the first game of the year, it’s always hard.”
Redeaux left the game in the fourth quarter. Collins said after the game that he likely has a sprained foot and will get x-rays on Saturday.
Oaks Christian pushed the tempo early and marched down the field 78 yards on its game-opening scoring drive. Redeaux scored his first touchdown from 4 yards out with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.
Chaminade used two quarterbacks in the game and started with sophomore Cameron Pooley. The Eagles went three-and-out on their first possession and on their second possession, Thompson intercepted Pooley at the 50-yard line and returned it for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.
Ari Sykes came in at quarterback for Chaminade to begin the second quarter. The Eagles reached the 8-yard line before Oaks Christian forced a turnover at the 5-yard line. Davon Benjamin dove to tackle Chaminade’s Chris Cordero and popped the ball loose. Bryan Narcisse was there to snatch it up.
The Lions had the ball at the 1-yard line and when Redeaux was handed the ball, Logan Carpenter tackled to free the ball. Miles Wilson scooped up the ball to secure the touchdown and prevent the shutout.
Redeaux nearly instantly redeemed himself with an 11-yard touchdown run when Oaks Christian got the ball back and quickly worked its way down the field.
Narcisse had his second interception of the game when he picked off Sykes and set the Lions up at the 42-yard line. They reached the 5 before settling for a field goal by Noah LaBerge.
Elijah Williams intercepted Easton in the third quarter and set up Ari Sykes to hit Devin Olmande with a long pass for a 57-yard touchdown. Chaminade’s Carter Sobel made a 45-yard field goal with roughly three minutes left to play.
Chaminade coach David Machuca said that the quarterback battle is ongoing.
“Throughout the summer they’ve battled and I don’t want to take too much after one game,” he said. “It’s still a competition. We’ll continue to evaluate and get better and go from there.”
