FOOTBALL: Mustangs Down Mills For 2nd Straight Year

The Capuchino High football team unleashed a rushing barrage on rival Mills High en-route to a season finale 21-6 win in last night's . 

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, a 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. 

"Justin (Ewing) is a special kid," said Capuchino head coach Adam Hyndman. "He sees the hole as soon as he touches the ball, he works incredibly hard and he's only gonna get better by next season."

The Vikings (1-9, 0-5) 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.

After a 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 over their rivals. 

With a chance to capitalize in the red zone, Capuchino 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," Liang said. "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.

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. 

Junior defensive end Zack Kohtz anchored the hosts' defense, totaling three sacks in a winning effort.

"Our plan was just to hit the quarterback, just go out there and hit him," Kohtz said. "If I can get to the outside, it's harder for him to see me, so I can lay a good hit on him." 

Ewing finished the game with 232 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, which was a modest display of his talents, having shredded the San Mateo defense for 384 yards and three scores two weeks ago. 

"This season has turned into a new-born baby," Ewing said after the game, excited about the victory. "We showed what we can really do and we're just gonna keep better and better. We've laid the foundation this year and we're gonna pick up next year where we left off." 

With this win, Capuchino is tied with Carlmont and El Camino for the Peninsula Athletic League, Lake Division championship, a feat that hasn't been accomplished in more than two decades. 

"We've built a foundation of discipline and commitment," Hyndman said. "I told the guys at the beginning of this season, 'You need to trust your coaches and you need to trust each other.' It started in the classroom and we've taken it into the field and have been successful." 

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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.