(Links in text are to YouTube highlights from the game). The La Costa Canyon Mavericks looked to build on their comprehensive 60-12 victory over Poway High School last week with this weekend clash with the Del Norte Nighthawks, and did so, taking a victory and moving to 2-0 in the SOCal Varsity Red San Diego division. 

Driving rain and gusty wind conditions were always going to make for difficult handling, but the Mavericks did not let that bother them, and open the scoring in the first five minutes when Reese Prefontaine powered over in the corner.

LCC did have trouble staying out of penalty trouble in the breakdowns, and repeated infractions led to Del Norte scoring through the forwards - Jarred Ho doing the honors. LCC began to dominate territory thanks to the educated boot of Justin Petersen.  It was Petersen who attacked the line off a set piece, and managed to shake off the attention of three would be Nighthawk tacklers to dot down for the second LCC try.  A double skip pass from Petersen to Ethan Smith allowed him to finish off a nice period of play for LCC, who finished the half with a 19-5 lead.

LCC scored quickly after the restart when Reese Prefontaine, poached the ball, drew the penalty, took the quick tap, and put Ethan Smith away who finished nicely in the corner. Del Norte captain Brittain Hale consistently got over the advantage line for the Night Hawks, and they worked their way into LCC territory and the big loosehead prop, Justin Friedman, powered over for another five points. 

LCC responded by setting a well-structured maul, and Ian Tarr peeled off the back to score for LCC.  From the restart, Sean Lumkong showed his class, but stepping the defense twice and going in under the poles untouched.  Ethan Smith got his hat trick for the evening when Petersen fed him a beautiful inside ball, and he went 60 meters for the final score of the evening. 

Final score was 41-10 LCC.

The LCC forwards were led by Tre Stigal, who was excellent around the park, and Ian Tarr, who was powerful with ball in hand and set the platform for the LCC backline to go to work. Petersen used the wind nicely, pinning Del Norte in their own half. Back from his assembly with the USA U20 program, Lumkong proved to be a handful for the Del Norte defense. 

 The Del Norte captain, Brittan Hale, carried strongly all night, and tested the Mavericks defense.