Alabama commit Julian Sayin, Carlsbad rout Mission Hills 35-14 to remain unbeaten

Carlsbad defeated Mission Hills for the fourth straight time on Friday night

SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA – The last two matchups between Carlsbad and Mission Hills were decided by a combined 12 points. The story was much different on Friday as the Lancers erupted for 28 points over the final three quarters to beat the Grizzlies 35-14 in the Avocado League opener for both teams.

Carlsbad’s first drive of the day appeared promising until Alabama quarterback commit Julian Sayin was sacked and fumbled the ball away to Mission Hills on fourth down and seven. The Lancers responded by forcing a three and out, leading to their opening score.

A perfect punt and roll by Mission Hills saw the ball stop at the two-yard line. Carlsbad was able to move the ball off the goal line and then got a 56-yard rush by senior running back Mason Walsh. Sayin completed the drive by tossing a screen pass to Josh Ball who weaved between defenders and crossed the goal line from nine yards out.

“Gotta be patient and execute, we had some penalties that hurt us tonight,” Carlsbad head coach Thadd MacNeal said. “We’re a work in progress like everybody.”

Both teams traded fumbles on their next possessions before Mission Hills put together their best drive of the game, going 85 yards. Sophomore quarterback Troy Huhn tossed a perfect ball to senior Ryder Ridill on a wheel route for a 17-yard touchdown to tie the game. Carlsbad came right back with an 80-yard touchdown drive as the clock ticked away.

After calling their final timeout, Sayin tossed a jump ball towards the right side of the end zone and into the hands of his six-foot-four senior receiver Will Cianfrini to give Carlsbad a 14-7 lead with three seconds before halftime.

Carlsbad emerged from the locker room and went on a 78-yard drive that took just shy of 10 minutes. Senior Thomas McCormick, a returning All-CIF linebacker, crossed the goal line for his first career rushing touchdown.

Senior defensive back Curtis Kemp grabbed an interception on the second play of the ensuing Mission Hills drive, giving the ball back to Carlsbad in Grizzlies territory. Fullback Ben Redfield got a rare carry and scored from a yard out to make the lead 28-7.

“We just have a little more offensive firepower than we’ve had before, and our defense can hold people,” MacNeal said.

Carlsbad then forced a three and out and following an excellent punt return by Josh Ball, the Lancers began with the ball at the Mission Hills 12-yard line. Two plays later, senior running back Harrison Koenig muscled his way in from eight yards out, becoming the fifth different Lancer to score on the night.

“It’s just how we operate,”MacNeal said, “Whoever’s play is called, and we try to go through our progressions and find the open guy and give it to the right guy.”

Mission Hills, who ran only 13 second half plays due to Carlsbad’s impressive ball control, scored on their final drive of the night when Troy Huhn connected with Jayden Williams who darted his way into the end zone from 30 yards out.

Despite using hobbled running back Mason Walsh in a limited role, Carlsbad was able to rush for 218 yards as a team. Thomas McCormick, making his debut at the position, led the way with 93 yards and a touchdown. Walsh added 71 yards while Koenig had 51.

Julian Sayin, the longtime Alabama commit who will join the Crimson Tide at the semester, finished 19 of 22 passing for 188 yards and two touchdown passes. He's now completed 80 percent of his passes this season, tossing 15 touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

Look: Carlsbad senior receiver Will Cianfrini discusses recruitment, win over Mission Hills

Highlights: Carlsbad spreads the wealth, beats Mission Hills 35-14 in league opener (9/29/23)

-- Bodie De Silva | bodie@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca