El Camino College Football Triumphs with Record-Setting Ground Game

The El Camino College Warriors delivered a record-breaking performance on the ground in a thrilling victory against Palomar College on October 7, 2023. The Warriors amassed a staggering total of 673 yards of offense, with 469 rushing yards leading the charge. This victory improved El Camino’s record to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

Despite a commanding lead, the game remained competitive late into the fourth quarter. Palomar (1-6, 0-4) mounted a comeback, narrowing El Camino’s advantage to just seven points with under seven minutes remaining. Facing a critical third-and-two situation at their own 23-yard line, the Warriors turned to their standout running back, Damonte Bias. He responded with a remarkable 62-yard run that set up a touchdown pass from quarterback Andrew Maushardt to Jaden Moore, solidifying a 45-31 lead for El Camino.

Bias’s performance was historic. He rushed for 266 yards on just 22 carries, breaking the previous single-game rushing record of 263 yards set by Delvon Flowers in 1998. El Camino’s team rushing total of 469 yards also surpassed their previous record of 343 yards, achieved in 2021. Moore added to the team’s success with 184 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

El Camino started the game with high energy, scoring on their first two possessions. Maushardt connected with Cameron Brewer for an 11-yard touchdown just two minutes into the game, followed by a 23-yard field goal from kicker Christian Miranda, putting the Warriors ahead 10-0. However, turnovers plagued El Camino in the first half, as Moore fumbled the ball twice, interrupting potential scoring opportunities.

Palomar’s Carson Beard kept the game competitive with a 47-yard field goal that reduced El Camino’s lead to seven points with 11:29 left in the half. Bias quickly responded, breaking off a 21-yard run followed by a 44-yard dash that propelled the Warriors into the red zone. Maushardt then found Brandon Jones for a 9-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 17-3 just before halftime.

The Warriors faced a tense moment when Palomar recovered a fumble and advanced to the ECC 2-yard line. Yet, the El Camino defense held strong, stopping Palomar on four consecutive attempts to preserve their lead going into halftime. Head coach Gifford Lindheim praised the team’s resilience during this critical juncture, stating, “We had a huge goal-line stand just before halftime.”

After the break, Bias struck again, scoring on a 57-yard touchdown run that pushed El Camino’s lead to 24-3 with 11:25 remaining in the third quarter. Palomar, however, responded with intensity. Bubba Garcia returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 24-10. The teams traded touchdowns throughout the third quarter, with Palomar’s KJ Chatham connecting with Michael Perry-Mack for a 26-yard touchdown that brought the score to 31-24.

Moore’s two-yard touchdown provided some breathing room for the Warriors, but Palomar quickly countered with a touchdown pass from Chatham to Vincent Landry, making it a tight 38-31 game with just over six minutes remaining.

Bias and Moore ultimately sealed El Camino’s victory with their impressive performances. “We came out with a little slow start,” Moore reflected. “I had to overcome a little bit of adversity and get my head right. When they got close, we just talked to the team, and our guys were able to finish it out.”

This electrifying game showcased the Warriors’ offensive might and set the stage for their continued pursuit of success in the season ahead.