Despite a timely fumble return for a touchdown to get within eight points of host rival Capuchino High, the Mills High football team came up short in last night's Battle of the Strip in a season finale 21-6 loss.
Capuchino junior scatback Justin Ewing rushed for 171 yards in the first half to put the Mustangs (6-4 overall, 4-1 PAL Lake) up by 15 at halftime, lead they would keep until the last whistle.
Ewing found the holes often, pounding the ball relentlessly and overwhelming the Vikings' defense, slowly chipping away yardage play after play.
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Mills (1-9, 0-5) elected to kick, but put a start to the game with a surprising onside kick to no avail, as the Mustangs recovered and started the drive with favorable field position.
Capuchino ran the ball efficiently, grinding a six and a half minute drive, capped off by an Ewing one-yard touchdown to put the home team up 7-0.
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The Vikings had little success in their first drive, going three-and-out in less than a minute, but they were allowed to continue after a roughing the kicker penalty in fourth down. Mills punted again after another set of downs.
Capuchino ran a reverse before the end of the quarter, play that set up an Ewing 55-yard run to the Mills five-yard line. Ewing finished in the next down for his second score, giving the Mustangs a 14-0 lead a minute into the second quarter.
The visitors responded with a big run down the left end, reaching the Mustangs' midfield as they threatened to score.
Capuchino free safety Logan Soli broke up a a critical pass attempt on fourth and 15 as he batted the ball out of bounds at the 25-yard line and forcing a turnover on downs, putting momentum back in the hosts' favor.
After an Ewing 33-yard escape past Mills' midfield and a first down reception by Lucciano Molina, everything seemed to be going the Mustangs' way, with flashbacks to last year's 28-0 win over their rivals.
With a chance to capitalize in the red zone, quarterback Vince Garcia fumbled after a crushing tackle. Mills senior lineman Brian Liang recovered the fumble and took it 76 yards for the score.
"I was just focused on recovering the ball," said Liang. "Once I got it, I just ran with all I had. Once I scored, it was pretty much the happiest moment of my life."
The Vikings found new life thanks to their defensive awareness and Liang's opportunistic return, but Capuchino fired back with a Jordan Griffiths score in a fullback draw in a third and goal opportunity, taking a 21-6 lead before the end of the half.
Capuchino forced a couple of turnovers in the third quarter, a Soli interception at the Mustangs' 30-yard line which was called back due to a roughing the passer penalty and a fumble at the 16-yard line with seven minutes to go.
The Vikings managed to string a few plays together in the fourth, with running back Parth Patel and quarterback Harshall Lal showing flashes of brilliance, but Capuchino's defense stood strong and forced the Mills offense to turn the ball over on downs.
"It's definitely hard losing this game," said Lal. "It means a lot to us, but hey – Cap's a great team, they played hard. We gave it all we had and as a quarterback that's all I can ask from my team."
"This season has been a learning curve for me, I've learned a lot this year, learned to stay in it all the way. Anyone can beat anyone at any time," added Lal.
Mills will return some key pieces next year, including Lal, wide receiver Joshua Sved and linebacker Jephta Zapata.
Capuchino 21, Mills 6
M - 0 6 0 0 - 6
C - 7 14 0 0 - 21
C - Ewing 1 run (Gretter kick)
C - Ewing 5 run (Gretter kick)
M - Liang 76 fumble return (kick failed)
C - Griffiths 2 run (Gretter kick)
Rushing: M: Quan 10-53. C: Ewing 37-232.
Passing: M: Lal 5-12-0-35. C: Garcia 7-13-1-74
Receiving: M: Patel 2-21. C: Molina 4-64.
Records: Mills 1-9, 0-5 PAL Lake. Capuchino 6-4, 4-1.
