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PLACENTIA — The nonleague football game between Fountain Valley and El Dorado sold itself Thursday as a potential, early-season showcase of improving programs.
The host Golden Hawks instead grabbed the spotlight all for themselves, and made a major statement.
The North Hills League contender erupted for 33 points in the first half and rolled to a 50-7 victory at Valencia High to improve to 2-0.
The Golden Hawks excelled in all three phases to dominate a Fountain Valley squad that handled Valencia — El Dorado’s Bell Game rival — 52-14 last week.
“A statement was made but we’re still far from playing perfect,” said El Dorado eighth-year coach Zack LaMonda, who led his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 8 playoffs last season.
“For many years before I came here, everyone kind of wanted to play El Dorado, which was great, but it’s been a long grind (to improve).”
Junior Evan Campuzano starred for the Golden Hawks in the first half by returning an interception 22 yards for a touchdown and kicking two field goals.
Fellow junior Isaiah Quintero added two rushing scores for the Golden Hawks, including a 4-yarder set up a 59-yard punt return by senior Gaven Rivera.
El Dorado recovered consecutive fumbles on kickoffs in the second half, turning the opportunities into 10 points en route to invoking the running clock in the fourth quarter.
The final score also was surprising since El Dorado defeated Fountain Valley 21-6 last season.
“I’m not too surprised of the outcome because I know we have the effort and the players,’ said Campuzano, a cornerback with two interceptions in as many games.
Quintero, the reigning state champion wrestler at 108 pounds, formed a dynamic running back duo with senior Diego Soria, who rushed 10 times for 102 yards, including a 17-yard TD.
Quarterbacks Nate Bento and Wyatt Tway also rushed for scores behind a line led by Vincent Cabral, Samuel Nunez, Bryce Ishiguro, Mitchell Jones and Walker Andersen.
“Definitely, the offensive line was a big factor in our game plan,” Quintero said. “We wanted to pound the rock.”
Ben Pham recovered a late fumble at the El Dorado 3 that led to a 5-yard TD run by Abdel Habibeh with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Next week, El Dorado plays host to Buena Park at Valencia while Fountain Valley takes on El Toro at Huntington Beach.
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