Bobcats’ Zamarripa produces 165 receiving yards and two touchdowns
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Southwest senior running back Nathaniel Scott played like he was making up for lost time in his first game action of the 2013 season Friday at South San Stadium.
Scott ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 27 attempts in leading the Dragons (3-3, 1-0) to a 36-20 victory over South San (2-4, 0-1). Southwest had lost its previous two games going into the District 28-5A opener, while the Bobcats had a two-game winning streak.
“We just got really determined,” Scott said. “We talked about this as a fresh start. It’s the beginning of district season and we came out here like we were 0-0.
“Obviously, we weren’t happy after our last game, but we’re proud now. This was a good start. Now we’ve just got to get ready for next week.”
Scott accounted for 22 points for the Dragons, including a pair of two-point conversion runs in the third quarter. Of the 10 Southwest ballcarriers, who ran for 361 yards, the 165-pound back made the biggest impact.
“He’s back,” Southwest coach Pete Wagner said. “He did a fantastic job, and the offensive line did a fantastic job. We have a very young offensive line. They’re starting to get it.”
South San was within 14-13 at halftime, but the Dragons scored the next three touchdowns.
“I just think we need to continue to improve,” South San coach Marcus Booker said. “I can’t be disappointed in my kids when they’re giving maximum effort. Southwest is a good football team.”
Southwest took control of a tight game by focusing on its running game, starting with the second-half kickoff.
The Dragons received the kickoff and drove down the field on eight running plays. Senior power back Bryan Donnell (31 yards, 4 carries) got the drive started with a 25-yard run.
The speedy Scott ran for 31 of the 53 yards, finishing it with a one-yard touchdown and tacking on the two-point conversion for a 22-13 lead.
“We wanted the offense to take it at them,” Wagner said. “It was just good blocking up front. We remembered how to block. That was something we struggled with in the first half.”
The Dragons overcame a holding penalty to complete the drive. Penalties helped to short-circuit Southwest’s offense in the first half. Wagner cited his team’s nine penalties for 85 yards as a big concern moving forward.
A sack by Southwest linebacker Efrain Mejia returned the ball to the Dragons at their 16, they drove to the Bobcats 39, where defensive end Kevin Ellis recovered a fumble.
South San was unable to capitalize on the break. Two plays later, Dragons defensive back Brandon Salinas produced an interception.
“The first drive hurt us,” Booker conceded, “but what hurt us more was that we weren’t able to finish drives. We got a turnover, and we weren’t able to take it in. They got a turnover and they were able to cash it in. That’s a 14-point swing right there.”
It only took Southwest three plays to score on a 24-yard sweep by junior Jon Cruz to the left side and hike their lead to 30-13 with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
On the third play after the ensuing kickoff, Southwest intercepted South San again. Joshua Gloria reacted to a read in the right flat at the Dragons 44.
“It just hyped the whole team up,” Scott said. “I’m very proud of the way we played today.”
Scott got some extra carries because junior back Reilly Riggs was dinged up and had to sit out a couple of series. Riggs (73 yards, 12 attempts) was in the backfield to alternate carries with Scott throughout the third quarter. His 23-yard burst helped put Southwest in scoring position, but the Dragons were dealt a blow when Donnell was injured on the next snap.
The Dragons’ effectiveness running the ball set the Bobcats up for the pass. On just the second (and last) pass Southwest quarterback Bowen Crisp threw in the second half, he found Cody Johnson (45 yards, 2 catches) on a 31-yard route for a 23-point led with 9:34 to play.
The Bobcats cashed in a turnover for the game’s final touchdown. Cody Quiniones recovered a fumble at the Southwest 19 on a South San punt.
On the next play, backup quarterback Isaiah Gutierrez threw to senior Juan Zamarripa (165 yards, 7 receptions) for his second touchdown.
The Bobcats lost a fumble on their first play from scrimmage, leading to a three-yard touchdown by Scott. Zamarripa gave South San’s response after a teammate blocked a 33-yard field goal try on the last play of the opening quarter.
He streaked down the middle of the field to take a pass from Southwest transfer Darrin Tinajero (5 of 16, 142 yards) at the Dragons 35. Zamarripa’s long strides prevented Southwest’s pursuing defensive backs from getting close and he manufactured a 76-yard touchdown. South San trailed 7-6 just 56 seconds into the second quarter.
“Juan’s a great kid,” Booker said. “Give him the opportunity, and he’s going to make the catch. He’s a playmaker. We’ve got to get him the ball.”
South San’s other big offensive threat, back Christian Morales, never made it to the end zone Friday. He rushed for 228 yards against Central Catholic in the Bobcats’ previous game and was a target for the Dragons defense.
“We just did our assignments,” Wagner said. “Our defensive line is really starting to come through. We also tackled better in the second half. That’s something we had to clean up.”
Southwest’s new featured back struck one play after Zamarippa’s first touchdown. Scott went 65 yards on a sweep to increase the Dragons’ lead to 14-6.
“I had good blocking from my offensive line all night,” Scott said. “I had good blocking all night. They just told me, “Let’s go.’ When I turned the corner, I was going to break it all the way. I tried to flash my speed.”
Although Morales finished the game without a touchdown, he was quietly effective all night. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior gained 106 yards on 17 rushing attempts.
He appeared to be stopped at the Dragons 24 on South San’s third possession of the second quarter, but bounced outside and picked up 22 yards. The big play set up a one-yard sneak from Tinajero with 2:32 until the half.
“Christian has been running well,” Booker said, “and that’s partly because our offensive line has gotten so much better. You’re only as good as your offensive line.”
South San will play defending district champ Steele (5-1, 1-0) 7 p.m. Friday at Robert Lehnhoff Stadium in Cibolo. Southwest returns home to play East Central (3-3, 1-0) next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
While Scott’s return fortified the Dragons’ ground game, the likely loss of Donnell – who also is a linebacker, punter and, most of all leader, for Southwest – is a huge potential setback. The extent of his leg injury was not known.
“Brian will be a four-year letterman,” Wagner said. “He’s one of the best kids I’ve ever had the privilege to coach. He means a lot to the kids. He’s a rock. He’s been here for years. His freshman year, he scored a touchdown down there.”
Wagner pointed to the far end zone at South San Stadium.
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