Second-Half Comeback Not Enough as Poway Loses to Oceanside 23-13

A 13-0 run in the second half by the Poway High football team Friday night was too little, too late as Oceanside High had already capitalized on a lackluster first half by the Titans.

In one of the premiere games of week four, the No. 1 ranked Pirates built up a 23-0 lead in the first half against a lethargic-looking Titan team.

“We just didn’t have the intensity that we needed in the first half,” Poway High coach Damian Gonzalez said. “We played great in the second half this week and last week, but just haven’t done it in the first half. I think it is just us as a coaching staff needing to get the kids better prepared.”

Oceanside (3-0) was up 10-0 before three Poway (2-1) turnovers gave them another 13 points.

In the third quarter, Poway scored twice, once on a 59-yard run by Lance Mudd and again after Jon Jon Peterson blocked an Oceanside punt, which was recovered by Alec Moreno. Nehemiah Gross scored later on that drive to make the score 23-13.

Poway's other loss was to another Division-II foe La Costa Canyon. All three— Poway, LCC and Oceanside—are considered to be at the top of the division along with Helix.

“I think what we can take from this game is we can play with them,” Gonzalez said. “I thought we were just as physical as they were. … I know we can play with these guys and I think when we get on a roll here as the season progresses, I think we will have a lot of momentum, if we see them again.”