WEST HILLS — When Sierra Canyon needed to finalize an offensive drive on Friday night, the coaching staff sent in their finisher, Dane Dunn.
The senior running back accounted for all the touchdowns in the first half, scoring two rushing touchdowns and hauling in a 7-yard touchdown reception to put his team up 21-0 at the break.
The Trailblazers carried that momentum over into the second half, scoring another 21 points to run away with a 42-3 victory over Chaminade in the Mission League opener for both teams.
“We have a really talented running back room and they played great. I think our O-Line came out and played well as well,” Sierra Canyon head coach Jon Ellinghouse said. “It was fun to get working on all cylinders.”
Chaminade’s energy was palpable out of the gate, playing fast on its opening drive in front of fans and alumni attending Homecoming night.
Sierra Canyon’s first drive ended on a fumble on a botched snap and Chaminade defensive tackle Kingston Williams jumped on the ball.
But Sierra Canyon’s defense held Chaminade at bay after the fumble recovery and started to deflate the Eagles’ momentum.
Quarterback Wyatt Becker put together a methodical drive down the field on Sierra Canyon’s second possession and Dunn capped it off with the first of his four touchdowns, a direct snap he took up the gut from 3 yards out.
Dunn finished the game with 89 rushing yards.
Sophomore running back Jaxsen Stokes also showcased his big-play ability, taking a handoff 74 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage to start the second half.
Stokes totaled 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
While Becker and the rushing attack kept the offense moving, Sierra Canyon’s defensive line made things difficult for Chaminade quarterback Cameron Pooley.
Led by Mikhal Johnson, Spencer Parham, Richard Wesley and Jonah Nadley, the line was able to consistently apply pressure on Pooley, hurrying the sophomore quarterback and forcing him into rushed throws.
“The D-Line is an ultra-talented group. Mikhal Johnson has had a year so far against upper-echelon talent and has been unbelievable,” Ellinghouse said. “But our defense as a whole, we always knew that this year we were going to rely on our defense to be our rock and we did that again tonight.”
Pooley did his best to put drives together by looking for his wideouts including Devin Olmande, Logan Carpenter and Andrew Cordero, but Sierra Canyon’s defense was unrelenting and deflected several passes.
Chaminade has faced a gauntlet of a nonleague schedule and didn’t get a break with its league opener against Sierra Canyon, but the Eagles have continued to grow as the season progresses.
“We’re going to come back on Saturday, watch the film and get ready for next week. We got Serra, that’s another big game at home,” Olmande said. “We got to turn this around. We’re just making small mistakes. If we pick up the small mistakes and put it all together we’re going to be great and win out the rest of the season.”
Sierra Canyon will stay on the road next week to face Notre Dame, which defeated Bishop Amat 28-21 in its league opener.
Chaminade will host Serra at home next Friday.
